Stuttgart beats third-tier Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 to clinch German Cup
VfB Stuttgart beat third-tier Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 with a double from Enzo Millot to lift the German Cup for the first time in 28 years on Saturday, bringing relief for Sebastian Hoeness's side after a disappointing Bundesliga campaign.
Goals from Nick Woltemade, Millot and Deniz Undav put Stuttgart 3-0 up at the break before Millot scored again to make it 4-0 after 66 minutes and effectively end the contest.
Bielefeld did pull a goal back through substitute Julian Kania eight minutes from time before Stuttgart's Josha Vagnoman netted an own goal in the 85th but it was too little, too late.
The win was Stuttgart's fourth German Cup success and earned a place in the Europa League's league phase. It finished the Bundesliga campaign ninth, two points off the European spots.
It delivered a bitter ending to a fairytale run for Bielefeld, which stunned holders Bayer Leverkusen in April to reach the final for the first time. It eliminated three other Bundesliga teams in consecutive rounds in the competition.
Bielefeld, which clinched the third division title last weekend, failed to crown its promotion back to Bundesliga 2 with another trophy. It was the fourth third-tier side to reach the German Cup final and first since Union Berlin in 2001.
Bielefeld got off to a lively start and should have taken an early lead through Noah Sarenren Bazee, which smashed the ball against the bar from close range.
Instead, Woltemade put Stuttgart in front after 15 minutes, beating goalkeeper Jonas Kersken with a low shot from the edge of the area.
The 23-year-old forward received his first Germany call-up on Thursday ahead of the Nations League semi-final against Portugal on June 4.
Millot doubled Stuttgart's lead on the counter-attack seven minutes later, scoring into an empty net after the ball was laid off to the 22-year-old midfielder by Undav, who added the third goal himself in the 28th by firing into the bottom corner.
ALSO READ | Serie A 2024-25: Milan's win over Monza overshadowed by fan protests
Millot scored his second after the break when he finished a solo run with a low shot inside the far post.
Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor thought he had a fifth following a corner but his header was ruled out for offside.
Vagnoman's own goal, following Bielefeld's first from Kania, made for a somewhat nervy ending and Stuttgart keeper Alexander Nuebel had to save from substitute Lukas Kunze in stoppage time.
Stuttgart last lifted the German Cup in 1997 when it beat third-tier Energie Cottbus 2-0.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
RCB win IPL 2025, PSG clinch Champions League: Two iconic triumphs, one blueprint
From the streets of Bengaluru to the heart of Paris, two teams finally achieved their long-awaited dreams in 2025. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Paris Saint-Germain — both known for chasing stars in the past — found success by doing the exact opposite: building strong, united teams that worked as close to two decades, Royal Challengers Bengaluru were cricket's most glittering paradox. A franchise built on star power — Gayle, de Villiers, Kohli, Starc — but haunted by the absence of silverware. Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, were Europe's most expensive promise: fronted by names like Neymar, Messi and Mbapp, and yet always falling short on the continent's biggest 2025 flipped the script. RCB ended an 18-year wait by clinching their maiden IPL title with a narrow six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final. Just days earlier, PSG decimated Inter Milan 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League final in Munich — their first-ever European crown. Though they play different sports on different continents, both teams found glory by walking the same secret? They stopped trying to buy greatness and started building Behind the Superstar EraPSG's past was filled with famous names, but little success in Europe. Despite spending millions, the Champions League kept escaping them. But under Luis Enrique, PSG stopped chasing individual brilliance and focused on team were no big egos in 2025. No Mbapp, no Neymar, no Messi. Instead, players like Ousmane Dembl stepped up, playing with purpose and hunger. PSG pressed hard, moved together, and played for each other — not for headlines. Their 5-0 win in the final wasn't just a victory; it was a statement. This was a team that had finally found the right Long-Awaited GloryadvertisementRCB, too, were once known for star power. But for 17 seasons, titles remained out of reach. When the 2025 auction came around, many fans expected them to chase big names again — KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer. Instead, RCB chose built a balanced team: Josh Hazlewood led the pace attack, Phil Salt partnered Kohli at the top, and finishers like Tim David and Romario Shepherd delivered in crunch moments. Jitesh Sharma added fire in the middle order, while Krunal Pandya and Yash Dayal gave them control with the questioned their choices, but the results spoke loudest. RCB beat Punjab Kings in the final by six runs, with contributions coming from across the squad. No single hero — just a solid, united New BlueprintThis year, both PSG and RCB rewrote the rules. No more depending on one or two stars to carry the load. No more buying big for the sake of it. Their message was simple: if you want to win, build a team that believes in each other — and plays like 2025, both PSG and RCB chose a different kind of signing — not the most glamorous, but the most fitting. PSG brought in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, not for headlines, but to fit seamlessly into Luis Enrique's high-pressing, team-oriented system. The Georgian forward may not have carried the marketing weight of a Neymar or Mbapp, but his understanding of space, work rate, and ability to link up with others made him a crucial piece of the followed a similar line of thinking. They didn't go after flashy Indian names like KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant in the auction. Instead, they focused on players who could lift the entire squad. Josh Hazlewood was brought back to anchor the pace attack with discipline. Krunal Pandya added both spin variety and lower-order batting depth. These weren't headline-stealers — they were glue guys. The kind that hold title-winning teams shared strategy — prioritising team chemistry over star status — became the heart of their 2025 MattersRCB's downfall in past seasons often came after their top order faltered. In 2025, that script flipped. Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd formed a powerful middle-order core. They didn't just support the top — they rescued games, turned matches, and led finishes. Jitesh's 85 off 33 vs LSG, Shepherd's 14-ball 53 against CSK, David's sharp cameos — these were innings that built trophies, not had their own unsung heroes. Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Warren Zaire-Emery — players who may not sell jerseys but won their midfield battles all season. Their 5-0 dismantling of Inter Milan in the final wasn't about one man shining — it was eleven working like LegacyRCB's win wasn't just about a cup. It was about closure — for years of near-misses, of being mocked for 'choking', of loyal fans waiting endlessly. And they did it without leaning solely on Kohli. The captaincy changed hands to a less popular name of Rajat Patidar, the burden was shared, and for once, the whole team rose to the Champions League title was just as symbolic. Fourteen years after Qatar Sports Investments took over the club with dreams of European domination, the project finally found success — not by buying brilliance, but by building InMust Watch
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal to Nations League final with 2-1 win over Germany
Cristiano Ronaldo scored again as Portugal came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in their Nations League semifinal. The 40-year-old Ronaldo captained Portugal and scored his 137th international goal five minutes after substitute Francisco Conceição equalised with a blistering shot in the 63rd on Wednesday (June 4, 2025). Ronaldo became the oldest player to ever score against Germany while ending his "curse" against the country. The former Real Madrid star lost each of the previous five games he'd played against Germany. Liverpool target Florian Wirtz had given the home team a 48th-minute lead with a perfectly placed header inside the right post, but Portugal coach Roberto Martínez made his changes count as he brought on Conceição and Champions League winner Vitinha among the substitutes. Vitinha excelled as Portugal finished the game in the ascendancy, just four days after he helped Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League final against Inter Milan in the same stadium on Saturday (May 30, 2025). Germany needed goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen at his best to prevent the visitors from scoring any more. PSG wing backs João Neves and Nuno Mendes both started for Portugal, while Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade started for his Germany debut. Conceição only needed five minutes to make a mark with a brilliant long-range strike inside the far post after he surged past Robin Gosens like he wasn't there. Mendes gave Ronaldo a simple finish five minutes after that. "It could have been more," Mendes said. France plays Spain in Stuttgart on Thursday (June 5, 2025) in the other semifinal.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Cristiano Ronaldo Scores 137th International Goal, Breaks Germany Jinx To Take Portugal To Nations League Final
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Germany in Munich on Wednesday, sending Portugal through to the Nations League final and breaking his run of bad fortune against the Germans. Ronaldo's 68th-minute tap in, a record-extending 137th international goal, sealed a first win over Germany after five losses, his longest streak against any national side without tasting victory. After a stuttering first half, Florian Wirtz produced a moment of magic to give Germany the lead three minutes after halftime, starting and finishing a clever burst through the middle and heading in the opener. Portugal's Francisco Conceicao ran 35 metres to score a brilliant solo goal, levelling things up with half an hour remaining. The stage was then set for Ronaldo, who had missed two solid chances earlier, to land the telling blow, turning in a Nuno Mendes pass from close range. Portugal, winners of the inaugural Nations League in 2019, will now face either European champions Spain or France in Sunday's final at the same venue. The loss is a setback for Julian Nagelsmann's Germany, who had lost just one of their previous 17 games. Portugal had four players backing up from winning Saturday's Champions League final -- and the ensuing celebrations -- but it was Germany who struggled to find rhythm early. The match started 10 minutes late due to a violent storm which left hailstones scattered across the turf. Aleksandar Pavlovic mislaid several passes while Portugal's approach of pressing Jonathan Tah almost paid dividends, with the defender insecure in possession. Ronaldo, greeted by Portuguese cheers and German boos every time he came near the ball, almost scored the opener six minutes in, but his shot was claimed by old La Liga sparring partner Marc-Andre ter Stegen, playing his first match for Germany since September 2024. Wirtz opener Germany's best chance of the opening half fell to debutant Nick Woltemade with 18 minutes gone, but the 1.98-metre-tall striker's low shot was well saved by Diogo Costa. Ronaldo was inches away from giving Portugal the lead when the visitors broke immediately after halftime, but he was unable to get enough of his boot on a clever Nuno Mendes cross with an open goal beckoning. Germany took less than a minute to punish the miss. Wirtz tiptoed down the left side, attracting three defenders before laying off for Joshua Kimmich. The German captain chipped it over the Portugal defence and back to Wirtz, who expertly guided a low header into the bottom right corner. Both sides made three changes on the 60-minute mark but it was Roberto Martinez whose substitutions had the telling impact. Five minutes after coming on, Conceicao shed Robin Gosens with a shimmy near the half-way line and advanced goalwards before unleashing a superb curling shot past the desperate fingers of Ter Stegen. Ronaldo then put Portugal in front, nervelessly tapping in a Nuno Mendes pass to make up for his previous misses - his 137th goal for Portugal in his 219th international. Munich-born Karim Adeyemi rattled the crossbar with eight minutes remaining but Germany could not find an equaliser and will need to be content with a third-placed match in Stuttgart on Sunday.
