Berlin, August 25: In a thrilling first-round match of the German Cup, Schalke 04 defeated Hallescher FC 5-2 after extra time, thanks to a remarkable performance by Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko scored two goals and provided two assists during the match.
Hallescher took the lead just before halftime with a goal from Vin Castul in the 45th minute. Schalke equalized in the 62nd minute when Dejan Lubisic capitalized on a slip by Hallescher defender Burim Halili, who was attempting to block Adil Ouchiche’s delivery.
Coach Miron Muslic then introduced Dzeko and Robin Gosens as Schalke pushed for victory. Dzeko converted a penalty in the 81st minute, putting the visiting team ahead.
Hallescher continued to fight back. Goalkeeper Loris Karius made a crucial save, allowing Nicolas Stierlin to score from a corner in stoppage time, sending the match into extra time.
Dzeko helped Schalke regain control, assisting Musa Silla for a goal in the 98th minute, making it 3-2. He was also involved in Schalke’s fourth goal when Silla crossed to substitute Junior Adamu, who scored in stoppage time of the first extra period. Dzeko capped off the scoring in the 117th minute with a goal from a pass by Gosens.
After the match, Gosens expressed satisfaction, stating, “We are happy to have won. We dominated for 90 minutes, but our strength waned in the final third, and we were weak on set pieces. We conceded goals at the wrong times, but winning is what matters most.”
Schalke will begin their Bundesliga campaign on Sunday against Augsburg. In other first-round matches, Bundesliga teams Hamburg and Cologne advanced with victories over third-tier opponents. Hamburg defeated SC Wörl 3-0, while Cologne made a comeback to beat Würzburger Kickers 2-1.