DFB Pokal: Leverkusen Edge Paderborn 4-2 in Extra Time

Leverkusen holds on to win 4-2 against Paderborn

DFB Pokal: Leverkusen edges Paderborn 4-2 in thrilling DFB Pokal match, with Ibrahim Maza scoring crucial goal.

Paderborn, reduced to 10 men before the hour mark due to a last-man foul that led to Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick...

Bayer Leverkusen had a nail-biting win in the DFB Pokal, scoring two goals after 120 minutes to seal a 4-2 victory over 10-man Paderborn. Meanwhile, reigning champions Stuttgart had an easier time, cruising past Mainz with a 2-0 win.

Paderborn's Alejandro Grimaldo gave Leverkusen an early lead with a free-kick, but Stefano Marino equalized for Paderborn in the final minute of regular time, sending the match into extra time. Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah scored the first goal of extra time, and 19-year-old Ibrahim Maza sealed the win with a composed finish, sparking celebrations. Aleix Garcia added a fourth goal late on to secure Leverkusen's spot in the next round.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, dominated Mainz, with Luca Jaquez and captain Atakan Karazor scoring the goals. Jaquez rose high to head home a corner in the sixth minute, while Karazor blasted in on the counter after a clever dummy from Angelo Stiller. The win advances Stuttgart in the competition, while Leverkusen had to fight hard to overcome Paderborn's determined effort.

Alejandro Grimaldo's expertly taken free-kick in the 60th minute gave Leverkusen an early advantage. However, their lead was short-lived as Paderborn's Stefano Marino scored in the final minute of regular time, leveling the score. Leverkusen had a tough time breaking down Paderborn's defense, which had been on a good run, with their last loss dating back to August.

Paderborn, reduced to 10 men before the hour mark due to a last-man foul that led to Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick, surprisingly took the lead through Sven Michel in the 96th minute. However, the tide turned in Leverkusen's favor when Jarell Quansah, a former Liverpool center-back, scored an equalizer shortly before the extra-time interval, making it 2-2.

Ibrahim Maza then showcased his composure, firing in a goal from close range in the 122nd minute to put Leverkusen ahead 3-2. As Paderborn pushed forward in search of another late equalizer, Aleix Garcia capitalized on the opportunity to seal a 4-2 win for Kasper Hjulmand's side.

INTO THE NEXT ROUND! 🏆🖤❤️

120' | 2-4 | #SCPB04 pic.twitter.com/1uLIlV7E7t

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) October 29, 2025

Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart are set to represent the Bundesliga in the upcoming season. Stuttgart earned their spot by defeating Mainz 2-0, with goals from centre-back Luca Jaquez and captain Atakan Karazor. Jaquez headed in a corner in the sixth minute, while Karazor scored on the counterattack in the 73rd minute, thanks to a clever dummy from Germany midfielder Angelo Stiller.

Ibo 😍🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/9Dt7f4Ptdt

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) October 29, 2025

Other DFB Pokal winners included Magdeburg, who secured a convincing 3-0 victory over fourth-tier Illertissen. Kaiserslautern, the 2024 finalists, edged out Greuther Fuerth 1-0. These winners joined an elite group in the last 16, including Borussia Dortmund, Hertha Berlin, RB Leipzig, Hamburg, St Pauli, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Holstein Kiel, and Bochum.

Last 16 Lineup

The following teams have qualified for the last 16 of the DFB Pokal:

• Borussia Dortmund
• Hertha Berlin
• RB Leipzig
• Hamburg
• St Pauli
• Borussia Moenchengladbach
• Holstein Kiel
• Bochum
• Magdeburg
• Kaiserslautern
• Bayer Leverkusen
• Stuttgart.