“Holstein Kiel's frustration shows as Bilal El Khannouss is booked for time-wasting, indicating their struggle to match Stuttgart's intensity”
“Stuttgart break the deadlock through Deniz Undav after Atakan Karazor's shot is deflected, with the striker pouncing to fire home from close range following a free kick”
Pivotal“Chris Führich doubles Stuttgart's advantage with a well-taken finish to effectively seal the victory”
“Atakan Karazor adds the third goal in stoppage time to complete a comprehensive victory for the visitors”
Holstein Kiel
VfB Stuttgart
Outstanding performance
VfB Stuttgart•AttackerVfB Stuttgart methodically dismantled Holstein Kiel with three second-half goals to cruise into the next round of the DFB Pokal. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Deniz Undav capitalized on a deflected effort from a free kick, before Chris Führich and Atakan Karazor added late strikes to put the result beyond doubt. Kiel struggled to create meaningful chances throughout and showed signs of frustration early with Bilal El Khannouss booked for time-wasting in the first half. This professional performance maintains Stuttgart's cup ambitions while highlighting the gulf in class between the sides, as the visitors controlled proceedings once they found their rhythm in the second period.
Phil Harres from Holstein Kiel is awarded a free kick in the opponent's half.
Atakan Karazor from VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
A shot on goal is thwarted. Maximilian Mittelstädt from VfB Stuttgart takes a left-footed strike from the center of the box, but Timon Weiner of Holstein Kiel makes a great save, denying the effort in the top right corner.
Corner awarded to VfB Stuttgart after John Tolkin allowed the ball to go out.
The shot is deflected. Bilal El Khannouss from VfB Stuttgart takes a right-footed attempt from the middle of the penalty area, but it's blocked.
Jonas Therkelsen from Holstein Kiel is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Josha Vagnoman of VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
Corner awarded to Holstein Kiel after Josha Vagnoman allowed the ball to go out.
Substitution for Holstein Kiel: Jonas Therkelsen comes on to take the place of Kasper Davidsen.
Substitution for Holstein Kiel: Aldin Jakupovic comes on to take the place of Adrián Kaprálik.
Holstein Kiel has been flagged for offside. Phil Harres has been caught in an offside position.
Josha Vagnoman commits a foul for VfB Stuttgart.
Andu Kelati from Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
VfB Stuttgart has been flagged for offside. Deniz Undav has been found to be in an offside position.
Offside call against VfB Stuttgart. Jamie Leweling has been flagged for being in an offside position.
Corner kick awarded to VfB Stuttgart after Stefan Schwab allowed the ball to go out.
Deniz Undav commits a handball for VfB Stuttgart.
Ramon Hendriks from VfB Stuttgart is awarded a free kick in the opponent's half.
Jonas Meffert from Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
Corner kick awarded to VfB Stuttgart after a deflection off Andu Kelati.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
The game is currently paused due to an injury to Timon Weiner from Holstein Kiel.
Goal! Holstein Kiel 0, VfB Stuttgart 1. Deniz Undav scores for VfB Stuttgart with a powerful right-footed shot from just a few yards out, finding the top right corner after a set piece play.
A shot is deflected. Atakan Karazor from VfB Stuttgart tries to score with his right foot from just a few yards out, but the attempt is stopped.
Kasper Davidsen from Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
Chris Führich from VfB Stuttgart earns a free kick on the left side of the field.
Ramon Hendriks from VfB Stuttgart earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Phil Harres commits a foul for Holstein Kiel.
Missed opportunity! Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart took a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it sailed high and wide to the left. The assist came from Angelo Stiller.
Substitution for Holstein Kiel: Stefan Schwab comes on to replace Umut Tohumcu, who has been injured.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
The game is currently paused due to an injury to Umut Tohumcu from Holstein Kiel.
Shot on goal blocked. Jamie Leweling from VfB Stuttgart takes a left-footed attempt from the middle of the penalty area, but it's successfully defended by the goalkeeper.
Ivan Nekic from Holstein Kiel earns a free kick on the right flank.
Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
The second half is underway with the score still tied at Holstein Kiel 0, VfB Stuttgart 0.
The first half concludes with the score tied at Holstein Kiel 0, VfB Stuttgart 0.
Umut Tohumcu from Holstein Kiel has a shot with his right foot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The attempt was set up by Adrián Kaprálik.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be no additional time added.
Umut Tohumcu from Holstein Kiel is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
Missed opportunity! Chris Führich from VfB Stuttgart took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it didn't hit the target.
Bilal El KhannoussYellow CardBilal El Khannouss from VfB Stuttgart receives a yellow card.
Missed opportunity. Deniz Undav from VfB Stuttgart directed a header from the center of the box after a set piece, but it didn't find the target.
Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart earns a free kick in the offensive half of the field.
Jamie Leweling from VfB Stuttgart earns a free kick in the opponent's half.
Missed opportunity! Jamie Leweling from VfB Stuttgart took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
The shot is deflected. Bilal El Khannouss of VfB Stuttgart takes a right-footed attempt from the middle of the penalty area, but it gets blocked. Deniz Undav provided the assist.
Jonas Meffert from Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
Jonas Meffert from Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
Missed opportunity! Deniz Undav of VfB Stuttgart heads the ball from the center of the box, but it goes over the bar. The chance was set up by a cross from Chris Führich.
Kasper Davidsen from Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
Missed opportunity! Umut Tohumcu from Holstein Kiel took a long-range shot with his right foot from the right side, but it sailed over the crossbar. He was set up by Kasper Davidsen.
Shot on goal denied. John Tolkin from Holstein Kiel takes a right-footed strike from over 40 yards out on the left flank, but the goalkeeper makes the save.
Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
Andu Kelati of Holstein Kiel is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Missed opportunity! Chris Führich from VfB Stuttgart took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it didn't hit the target.
Jeff Chabot from VfB Stuttgart earns a free kick on the left side of the pitch.
Adrián Kaprálik from Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
Missed opportunity! Adrián Kaprálik from Holstein Kiel took a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area that was close, but it went just wide to the right. He was set up by Umut Tohumcu after a quick counterattack.
A shot attempt was thwarted. Deniz Undav from VfB Stuttgart took a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it was blocked. The assist came from Bilal El Khannouss.
Deniz Undav commits a foul against VfB Stuttgart.
David Zec from Holstein Kiel earns a free kick in the opponent's half.
Missed opportunity! Andu Kelati from Holstein Kiel takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it sails just over the crossbar. The assist came from Umut Tohumcu.
Missed opportunity! Phil Harres of Holstein Kiel headed the ball from the left side of the six-yard box, but it went wide to the left. The chance was set up by John Tolkin, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.
Corner kick awarded to Holstein Kiel, following a foul by Chris Führich.
Corner kick awarded to Holstein Kiel, following a save made by Alexander Nübel.
A shot on goal was thwarted. Adrián Kaprálik from Holstein Kiel took a right-footed attempt from a challenging position on the right side, but Alexander Nübel of VfB Stuttgart made a save in the bottom right corner. The effort was set up by Ivan Nekic.
Umut Tohumcu from Holstein Kiel is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
Phil Harres from Holstein Kiel is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Ramon Hendriks from VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
Josha Vagnoman commits a foul for VfB Stuttgart.
Andu Kelati of Holstein Kiel is awarded a free kick in his own half.
Corner awarded to VfB Stuttgart after Marko Ivezic allowed the ball to go out.
VfB Stuttgart has been awarded a corner kick, following a defensive play by Marko Ivezic.
David Zec from Holstein Kiel earns a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Atakan Karazor from VfB Stuttgart commits a foul.
Ramon Hendriks of VfB Stuttgart is awarded a free kick in his team's defensive zone.
Andu Kelati of Holstein Kiel commits a foul.
The opening half is underway...
The teams have been revealed, and the players are currently going through their warm-up routines.
Holstein Kiel's remarkable DFB Pokal run faces its biggest test as they welcome in-form VfB Stuttgart to the quarterfinals. The 2. Bundesliga strugglers, who've already stunned Wolfsburg and Hamburg, must overcome a Stuttgart side riding high with four wins in five and devastating away form.
