RB Leipzig edged past VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 on Wednesday evening, thanks to Benjamin Sesko's expertly placed penalty kick, as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal.
The match, held at the iconic Red Bull Arena, kicked off at a breathtaking pace, showcasing both teams’ offensive ambitions early on. Just four minutes after the first whistle, Leipzig’s Lois Openda found himself wonderfully set up by teammate Sesko. Unfortunately for the hosts, Openda's sidefooted shot veered wide, preventing what could have been an early breakthrough.
Wolfsburg retaliated quickly, with Tiago Tomás smashing his shot against the side netting shortly thereafter, illustrating the open nature of the match. Both squads traded chances relentlessly during the first half, which concluded with the score still locked at nil.
A lively start to the second half saw Wolfsburg come close to scoring, as Mohamed Amoura’s header hit the crossbar, leaving Leipzig fans breathless. Leipzig's goalkeeper, Maarten Vandevoort, was swiftly called upon to deny Andreas Skov Olsen's powerful drive, demonstrating the resilience of the Leipzig defense.
Despite being under pressure, Leipzig began asserting dominance as the second half progressed. The defining moment came at the 69-minute mark when Sesko won the penalty after his cross deflected off Kilian Fischer’s arm—a decision met with dismay by Wolfsburg players and coaching staff. According to reports, the referee, Tobias Reichel, faced criticism for what some considered to be a dubious call.
Not one to falter under pressure, Sesko stepped up to the mark. His calm and precise penalty sent Wolfsburg's goalkeeper, Marius Müller, the wrong way, sending the home crowd wild and putting Leipzig 1-0 up.
Following the goal, both teams pressed hard for additional scores. Leipzig’s Openda and Amadou Haidara had chances to double the lead. Simultaneously, Wolfsburg escalated their efforts to find the equalizer. Kevin Behrens came close to leveling the game late on, but standing strong, Vandevoort thwarted the chance, ensuring Leipzig’s clean sheet.
RB Leipzig's victory marks another step forward for the reigning champions of the DFB-Pokal, who are seeking to retain the title they’ve held for the past two years. With this win, they will face off against Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, and underdogs Arminia Bielefeld—who shocked Werder Bremen with their 2-1 victory—in the semi-final showdown.
The match ended with Leipzig prevailing, and key players like Sesko, who scored the decisive goal, and Vandevoort, who kept the opposition from scoring, were lauded for their efforts. This performance continues to demonstrate Leipzig’s strength and determination as they aim for another cup triumph.
Leipzig's remarkable run and resilience have cemented their reputation, and the upcoming semi-final promises to be exciting, with expectations high for yet another deep cup run.