Bayer Leverkusen advanced to the DFB Cup quarterfinals with a disciplined 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, surviving late pressure in a tactically charged contest on Tuesday.
Leverkusen opened the scoring midway through the first half when Ibrahim Maza reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, steering it home to give his side the lead.
The goal capped a lively opening period, with both teams pushing aggressively through midfield but struggling to create clear chances.
Dortmund, having heavily rotated their squad from the previous league match, grew into the game and created two promising chances before halftime, only for Karim Adeyemi to miss the target on both occasions.
After the break, Dortmund asserted control, pinning Leverkusen deep with sustained pressure and a flurry of corners. Emre Can and Jude Bellingham drove the hosts forward, but the visitors remained solid in defense.
Leverkusen thought they had doubled the lead when Martin Terrier finished off a flowing move just before the hour mark, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a marginal offside.
The closing stages became increasingly frantic as Dortmund launched near-constant attacks, but Leverkusen's defense held firm. Anton went close from a tight angle, and Adeyemi's stoppage-time header drifted just wide, encapsulating a frustrating evening for the hosts.
Leverkusen's victory sent them into February's quarterfinals and extended their strong cup run, while Dortmund must quickly regroup ahead of upcoming Bundesliga fixtures.
"It is unbelievable to finish with zero goals. We had possession, we had chances, and still come away with nothing, that is extremely tough in a knockout match," Dortmund captain Emre Can said.
"Going through in the cup feels great. The last two games showed we are on equal footing with Dortmund, and today the small details made the difference," Leverkusen skipper Robert Andrich said.
Elsewhere in the round of last 16, Hertha Berlin stormed into the quarterfinals with a commanding 6-1 win over 1. FC Kaiserslautern. St. Pauli joined them after Louis Oppie struck a late winner to stun Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1. RB Leipzig also advanced, beating 1. FC Magdeburg 3-1 thanks to a brace from Christoph Baumgartner.
The draw for the quarterfinals will take place later this week.
