FC St. Pauli

The DFB Cup Round of 16 – the last time that happened was on 21 December 2005 when the Boys in Brown eliminated Bundesliga outfit Hertha BSC in a memorable encounter that ended 4-3 after extra-time. Head coach Timo Schultz, who contested the first 68 minutes of that game, opted to make four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Erzgebirge Aue last time out. As was to be expected, Dennis Smarsch came in for Nikola Vasilj between the posts, while James Lawrence replaced Philipp Ziereis in central defence. In addition, Finn Ole Becker slotted into the midfield diamond for Christopher Buchtmann and Etienne Amenyido, scorer of a late equaliser against Aue, took the place of Maximilian Dittgen up front. Dortmund, in contrast, made just two adjustments to the team that thrashed SC Freiburg 5-1 at home, Manuel Akanji and Axel Witsel replacing Emre Can and Donyell Malen. The holders thus fielded a full-strength side, with the focus naturally on Erling Haaland, who three years ago to the day scored the first three of his 78 goals to date in the 5-3 win at Augsburg on his debut and was named in the FIFA Men's World XI on Monday.

Only 2,000 fans were allowed into the ground under the current Covid-19 regulations, but they were making plenty of noise when the two teams kicked off, the Schultz XI in their grey cup kit, the holders in neon yellow. Dortmund pressed early from the off, but it was the Boys in Brown who took the lead just four minutes in! Some exquisite passing play in a tight space between Finn Ole Becker, Jackson Irvine and Marcel Hartel culminated with the latter knocking the ball into the box from the right for Etienne Amenyido to beat Gregor Kobel with his second touch from close range. The joy almost proved short-lived, as Dortmund could have been level within three minutes, but Dennis Smarsch denied the advancing Thorgan Hazard in a one-on-one before Leart Paqarada slid in to clear Hazard's rebound effort.

The holders kept coming but were unable to pick a hole in the home rearguard again until the 18^th minute when Mats Hummels knocked the ball over the top of the back four to Marco Reus, but the BVB captain was unable to slot the ball past Smarsch, who produced a fine reflex save. The resulting corner found its way to Haaland, who flashed a shot just over the crossbar. The Boys in Brown continued to defend with passion and sought to break quickly whenever they won possession, without too much joy unfortunately. Nevertheless, Dortmund made little headway in a high-intensity contest, and whenever they did breach the home defence, which was inevitable given the quality in their ranks, Smarsch was alert to the danger.

With the game approaching the half-hour mark, the Boys in Brown launched a spell of pressure with a chance for Marcel Hartel, who hit a curling effort a touch too high from 20 metres. And they eventually got their reward five minutes before the interval when Guido Burgstaller knocked the ball into the middle, where Axel Witsel, with Amenyido waiting to pounce, put through his own goal to send the 2,000 home fans into raptures.

Jakov Medić, seen here challenging for the ball with BVB skipper Marco Reus, set up the second goal by winning possession in midfield.

Both teams emerged unchanged for the second half. And the pattern remained much the same, too. Dortmund dominated the proceedings and soon fashioned an early chance when an undercooked Irvine clearance landed at the feet of Jude Bellingham, whose slightly deflected first-time effort could have posed a threat but ultimately proved no problem for Smarsch. The next opportunity arrived at the other end. Eric Smith delivered a free-kick into the box and found Burgstaller, whose header was destined for the bottom corner until Kobel got down to his left to divert the ball round the post. Moments later the same player hit a shot on the turn into the side netting. Then, however, play was interrupted to allow referee Harm Osmers to check a possible handball offence by Medić in the box. After a quick review, he pointed to the spot and Haaland stepped up to send Smarsch the wrong way and halve the deficit with 58 minutes gone.

With the intensity on the pitch and in the stands increasing, the unmarked Thomas Meunier screwed a shot wide from the edge of the box and Marcel Hartel fired just wide from a Sebastian Ohlsson cross. Back up the other end, Raphaël Guerreiro aimed too high. As the game entered the closing stages, Schultz introduced Luca Zander and Maximilian Dittgen for Sebastian Ohlsson and Etienne Amenyido. No sooner had they entered the fray than Mats Hummels headed just wide of the far post from a corner. Dortmund came again and substitute Donyell Malen hit the side netting following a Meunier cross. The visitors continued to press but for all their efforts could not find a way through the packed brown-and-white defence. And with every clearance being celebrated like a goal, the Schultz XI saw the game out to beat the holders by two goals to one and book their place in the quarter-finals. What an amazing night at the Millerntor!!

FC St. Pauli

Smarsch - Ohlsson (Zander 74'), Medić, Lawrence, Paqarada - Smith, Hartel, Irvine, Becker - Amenyido (Dittgen 74'), Burgstaller (Makienok 90')

Head coach: Timo Schultz

Borussia Dortmund

Kobel - Meunier, Hummels, Akanji (Zagadou 76'), Guerreiro - Witsel (Moukoko 90'), Bellingham, Brandt - Reus, Haaland, Hazard (Malen 65')

Head coach: Marco Rose

Goals: 1-0 Amenyido (4'), 2-0 Witsel (o.g. 40'), 2-1 Haaland (pen. 58')

Yellow cards: -

Referee: Harm Osmers (Hannover)

Attendance: 2,000

Photos: FC St. Pauli/Witters