Four goals in 19 minutes
VfB dominated from the outset and lived up to their role as favourites, with Pascal Stenzel opening the scoring in the 20th minute with a well-placed, long-range effort from a half-cleared corner. The Swabians proved too strong for the second-tier side after that, Wataru Endo nodding home Chris Führich’s corner four minutes later before Luca Pfeiffer opened his account for the club from Borna Sosa’s cross to make it 3-0 on 29 minutes. The Croatian’s next delivery found Silas, who volleyed home to increase the hosts’ lead six minutes before the interval.
Super six
Interim coach Michael Wimmer’s side picked up where they left off in the second half and made it 5-0 when Führich fed Pfeiffer, who found the net from inside the area for his second of the evening (52’). Enzo Millot hit the inside of the post four minutes later but substitute Serhou Guirassy made no mistake from Sosa’s lay-off not long afterwards, sending an unstoppable shot into the corner (67’). With Bielefeld offering little in terms of a response, the home side were able to run the clock down and book their place in the last 16 in emphatic fashion.
Goals
20th minute (1-0): Stenzel finds the corner from long range after Bielefeld fail to clear a corner.
24th minute (2-0): Endo’s free header from Führich’s corner doubles VfB’s lead.
29th minute (3-0): Sosa’s cross finds Pfeiffer, who slots home to make it 3-0.
39th minute (4-0): Another Sosa delivery finds Silas, whose first-time effort into the ground increases VfB’s lead.
52nd minute (5-0): Pfeiffer runs on to Führich’s pass and slots the ball through Bielefeld goalkeeper Martin Fraisl’s legs.
67th minute: Serhou Guirassy is played through by Sosa and finishes coolly to complete the scoring.
Reaction
Michael Wimmer, VfB interim coach: “We started the game really well again, took the lead through two set plays and added the third and fourth goals before the interval. After the break we wanted to build on our first half, which we did immediately with our fifth goal. The team just got into a groove tonight that was difficult to stop.”
Luca Pfeiffer: “We scored our goals at the right times, gave them almost no opportunities and played the clock down with confidence at the end. It was fun to be on the pitch today. It was a superb atmosphere and ultimately a highly deserved victory.”