Bayer Leverkusen continued their impressive cup campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, a result that sends Xabi Alonso’s side into the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals.

The decisive moment arrived in the 34th minute. After a swift counterattack, Álex Grimaldo delivered a precise cross that Noah Maza coolly guided into the net — a rare moment of clarity in an otherwise tight and physical contest.

Dortmund nearly responded before the break, with Karim Adeyemi twice finding himself in promising positions, only for both chances to go begging. Earlier, the hosts had vehemently appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on, much to the frustration of the Yellow Wall.

After falling behind, Niko Kovač’s team pushed forward relentlessly, pressing high and testing Leverkusen’s defensive resolve. But the former champions leaders absorbed the pressure, stayed organized, and ultimately saw out the narrow but crucial win.

2025-26, Germany - DFB Pokal

Borussia D - Bayer 04 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Maza, 34 (0:1)

Borussia D: Kobel; Anton; Schlotterbeck N.; Svensson D. (Bensebaini, 86); Ryerson (Guirassy, 67); Can E.; Nmecha F. (Groß, 74); Chukwuemeka C. (Beier M., 67); Bellingham Jo.; Fábio Silva (Brandt, 67); Adeyemi K.
Substitution: Brandt (from 67); Guirassy (from 67); Beier M. (from 67); Groß (from 74); Bensebaini (from 86)
Bench: Meyer A.; Couto; Anselmino; Sabitzer
Yellow Cards: Anton 68; Bellingham Jo. 71; Can E. 90

Bayer 04: Flekken; Quansah; Tapsoba E.; Grimaldo; Hofmann (Badé L., 90); Andrich; Aleix Garcia; Terrier (Tillman M., 61); Maza; Poku E. (Tella, 83); Kofane (Schick, 61)
Substitution: Tillman M. (from 61); Schick (from 61); Tella (from 83); Badé L. (from 90)
Bench: Lomb; Belocian; Echeverri; Ben Seghir; Sarco
Yellow Cards: Andrich 75; Tillman M. 87