DFB Later States Disallowed Goal Should Have Counted; Stuttgart Reaches German Cup Final

Apr 24, 2026, 12:53

Introduction

VfB Stuttgart won 2-1 against SC Freiburg in extra time during the German Cup semi-final on Thursday, qualifying for the final against Bayern Munich. The match was notable for a disallowed goal for Freiburg in the 97th minute, which the German Football Federation (DFB) later stated should have been counted.

Main Body

The decisive moment came early in extra time with the score at 1-1. Freiburg striker Lucas Höler appeared to score, but referee Tobias Welz immediately disallowed the goal, claiming a foul by Höler on Stuttgart defender Jeff Chabot. Freiburg players and officials strongly disagreed with the decision. Matthias Ginter called it a wrong decision, while captain Christian Günter said he could not believe it, stating that if such contact is a foul, he would need to retire. Stuttgart players also questioned the call; Deniz Undav asserted that Höler''s challenge was never a foul, a view echoed by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß. Höler himself called the decision outrageous, noting that the referee said it was a clear decision. However, Marco Fritz, head of rule interpretation and evaluation at DFB Schiri GmbH, provided an analysis after the match. Fritz explained that during the fast-paced action, the referee perceived an illegal use of the arm by Höler, but based on television footage, the duel should have been judged as a strong but legal challenge, and the goal should have been allowed to stand. Despite the controversy, Stuttgart had many more chances throughout the match, and their victory was deserved. Tiago Tomas scored the winning goal in the 119th minute, sending Stuttgart to the final.

Conclusion

The DFB''s official evaluation confirms that the disallowed goal should have counted, but the match result stays the same. Stuttgart will face Bayern Munich in the German Cup final, while Freiburg''s elimination is final despite the contested officiating decision.

Vocabulary Learning

controversy
A public disagreement or dispute about something.爭議，爭論
Example:Despite the controversy, Stuttgart had many more chances.
disallowed
To refuse to accept something as valid, especially in sports.不承認，判為無效（尤指體育比賽中）
Example:The referee disallowed the goal, claiming a foul.
duel
A contest or competition between two players or sides.對決，較量
Example:The referee judged the duel as a strong but legal challenge.
extra time
Additional playing time added to a match when the score is tied after regular time.加時賽
Example:VfB Stuttgart won 2-1 against SC Freiburg in extra time.
outrageous
Very shocking, unreasonable, or offensive.令人震驚的，無理的
Example:Höler called the decision outrageous.

Sentence Learning

The match was notable for a disallowed goal for Freiburg in the 97th minute, which the German Football Federation (DFB) later stated should have been counted.
Relative clause 'which' introduces additional information about the goal. Passive voice 'was notable' focuses on the match. Reported speech 'stated should have been counted' shows indirect reporting.關係代詞「which」引入關於入球嘅額外資訊。被動語態「was notable」強調比賽。間接引述「stated should have been counted」表示間接報導。
However, Marco Fritz, head of rule interpretation and evaluation at DFB Schiri GmbH, provided an analysis after the match.
'However' is a linking word showing contrast with previous information. The sentence introduces a new speaker and his role.「However」係連接詞，表示同之前資訊嘅對比。句子引入新嘅發言人同佢嘅職位。
Fritz explained that during the fast-paced action, the referee perceived an illegal use of the arm by Höler, but based on television footage, the duel should have been judged as a strong but legal challenge, and the goal should have been allowed to stand.
'but' contrasts the referee's perception with video evidence. Passive 'should have been judged' and 'should have been allowed' emphasize the action rather than the doer. 'Based on' is a participle phrase providing reason.「but」對比球證嘅感知同影片證據。被動語態「should have been judged」同「should have been allowed」強調動作而非執行者。「Based on」係分詞短語提供原因。
Despite the controversy, Stuttgart had many more chances throughout the match, and their victory was deserved.
'Despite' introduces a contrasting idea (controversy) to the main clause (Stuttgart had chances). Passive 'was deserved' emphasizes the victory.「Despite」引入對比概念（爭議）同主句（史特加有機會）。被動語態「was deserved」強調勝利。
The DFB's official evaluation confirms that the disallowed goal should have counted, but the match result stays the same.
'but' shows contrast between the evaluation and the result. 'Confirms that' introduces a noun clause.「but」顯示評估同結果之間嘅對比。「Confirms that」引入名詞子句。