DFB Says Disallowed Goal Was Legal; Stuttgart Goes to Final

Apr 24, 2026, 12:53
A2

DFB Says Disallowed Goal Was Legal; Stuttgart Goes to Final

Introduction

VfB Stuttgart beat SC Freiburg 2-1 in the German Cup semi-final. The match went to extra time. Stuttgart will play Bayern Munich in the final. A goal for Freiburg was not allowed. Later, the German Football Federation (DFB) said the goal was legal.

Main Body

The score was 1-1 early in extra time. Freiburg player Lucas Höler scored a goal. But the referee said it was a foul. He did not allow the goal. Freiburg players were very angry. They said it was a wrong decision. Stuttgart players also said it was not a foul. Later, a DFB official looked at the video. He said the referee made a mistake. The goal should have been allowed. But the match result did not change. Stuttgart scored another goal in the 119th minute. Tiago Tomas scored the winning goal. Stuttgart won the match.

Conclusion

The DFB said the disallowed goal was legal. But the match result stays the same. Stuttgart will play Bayern Munich in the final. Freiburg is out of the cup.

Vocabulary Learning

final
The last game of a competition to decide the winner.決賽
Example:Stuttgart will play Bayern Munich in the final.
goal
A point you get when the ball goes into the net.入球（得分）
Example:Freiburg scored a goal, but the referee did not allow it.
match
A game between two teams.比賽
Example:The match went to extra time.
score
The number of points each team has in a game.比分
Example:The score was 1-1 early in extra time.
win
To be the best in a game or competition.贏
Example:Stuttgart won the match.

Sentence Learning

VfB Stuttgart beat SC Freiburg 2-1 in the German Cup semi-final.
Simple past tense (beat) describes a completed action.本句使用簡單過去式（beat）描述已完成的動作。
The match went to extra time.
Simple past tense (went) describes what happened.本句使用簡單過去式（went）描述發生的事情。
A goal for Freiburg was not allowed.
Passive voice (was not allowed) focuses on the goal, not who disallowed it.本句使用被動語態（was not allowed），焦點在於入球，而非誰不允許。
Later, the German Football Federation (DFB) said the goal was legal.
Reported speech: 'said' introduces what someone stated.本句使用間接引語：'said' 引述某人所說的話。
Stuttgart will play Bayern Munich in the final.
Future tense with 'will' for a planned event.本句使用將來式 'will' 表示計劃中的事件。
B2

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

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。
C2

DFB Retrospectively Deems Disallowed Goal in German Cup Semi-Final as Legal; Stuttgart Advances to Final

Introduction

VfB Stuttgart secured a 2-1 victory over SC Freiburg in extra time during the German Cup semi-final on Thursday, earning a place in the final against Bayern Munich. The match was marked by 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 occurred 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, citing a foul by Höler on Stuttgart defender Jeff Chabot. The decision was met with strong disagreement from Freiburg players and officials. Matthias Ginter described it as a wrong decision, while captain Christian Günter expressed disbelief, stating that if such contact constitutes 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 claimed it was a crystal-clear call. However, Marco Fritz, head of rule interpretation and evaluation at DFB Schiri GmbH, provided a retrospective analysis. Fritz explained that in the heat of the moment, the referee perceived an illegal use of the arm by Höler, but based on television footage, the duel should have been judged as a robust but legal challenge, and the goal should have been allowed to stand. Despite the controversy, Stuttgart had a clear advantage in chances throughout the match, and their victory was not considered undeserved. Tiago Tomas scored the winning goal in the 119th minute, sending Stuttgart to the final.

Conclusion

The DFB''s official assessment confirms that the disallowed goal was legally scored, but the match result remains unchanged. Stuttgart will face Bayern Munich in the German Cup final, while Freiburg''s elimination stands despite the contested officiating decision.

Vocabulary Learning

contested
Disputed or challenged; not accepted without argument.有爭議的；受到質疑的
Example:Freiburg's elimination stands despite the contested officiating decision.
crystal-clear
Completely obvious and unambiguous.極其清楚的；一目了然的
Example:The referee claimed it was a crystal-clear call.
duel
A contest between two individuals, especially in sports, a one-on-one battle for the ball.對決；爭奪（尤指體育中的一對一對抗）
Example:Based on television footage, the duel should have been judged as a robust but legal challenge.
retrospectively
In a way that looks back on or deals with past events or situations.回顧地；追溯地
Example:The DFB retrospectively deemed the disallowed goal as legal.
robust
Strong and healthy; vigorous. In sports, referring to a challenge that is physically strong but within the rules.強健的；強有力的；在此語境中指合法但激烈的對抗
Example:The duel should have been judged as a robust but legal challenge.

Sentence Learning

The match was marked by a disallowed goal for Freiburg in the 97th minute, which the German Football Federation (DFB) later stated should have been counted.
This sentence features a passive main clause ("The match was marked by..."), followed by a non-restrictive relative clause introduced by "which". Within the relative clause, the verb phrase "should have been counted" is a past modal perfect expressing a retrospective judgment, embedded within the reported statement "the DFB later stated that..." (with "that" omitted). The structure combines passive voice, relative clause, and modal perfect in reported speech.此句包含一個被動主句（「The match was marked by...」），後接由「which」引導的非限制性關係從句。在關係從句中，「should have been counted」是過去式情態完成式，表達回顧性判斷，並嵌入於「the DFB later stated that...」的間接引語中（省略了「that」）。結構結合了被動語態、關係從句和間接引語中的情態完成式。
Matthias Ginter described it as a wrong decision, while captain Christian Günter expressed disbelief, stating that if such contact constitutes a foul, he would need to retire.
This is a compound-complex sentence. The first independent clause "Matthias Ginter described it as a wrong decision" is followed by a contrastive conjunction "while" introducing a second independent clause "captain Christian Günter expressed disbelief". This second clause is modified by a participial phrase "stating that..." which contains a conditional subordinate clause: "if such contact constitutes a foul" (present tense in the if-clause) and the main clause "he would need to retire" (conditional with "would"). The structure demonstrates contrast, participial modification, and a Type 1 conditional (real conditional) with a subjunctive-like "would".這是一個並列複合句。第一個獨立子句「Matthias Ginter described it as a wrong decision」後接對比連詞「while」，引入第二個獨立子句「captain Christian Günter expressed disbelief」。第二個子句由分詞短語「stating that...」修飾，該短語包含一個條件從句：「if such contact constitutes a foul」（if子句用現在式）和主句「he would need to retire」（條件式用「would」）。結構展現對比、分詞修飾及第一類條件句（真實條件句）中的「would」用法。
Fritz explained that in the heat of the moment, the referee perceived an illegal use of the arm by Höler, but based on television footage, the duel should have been judged as a robust but legal challenge, and the goal should have been allowed to stand.
This sentence is a complex sentence with multiple coordinated clauses. The main clause is "Fritz explained that...". The object clause after "that" is itself a compound structure: "in the heat of the moment, the referee perceived an illegal use of the arm by Höler, but based on television footage, the duel should have been judged as a robust but legal challenge, and the goal should have been allowed to stand." Within this, there are two parallel clauses joined by "but" and then "and". Each uses passive voice with modal perfects ("should have been judged", "should have been allowed"). The phrase "based on television footage" is a reduced adverbial clause (past participle phrase). The sentence exhibits high lexical density and complex coordination.此句為複合句，包含多個並列子句。主句為「Fritz explained that...」。之後的賓語從句本身是並列結構：「in the heat of the moment, the referee perceived an illegal use of the arm by Höler, but based on television footage, the duel should have been judged as a robust but legal challenge, and the goal should have been allowed to stand。」其中兩個平行子句由「but」和「and」連接，均使用被動語態及情態完成式（「should have been judged」、「should have been allowed」）。「based on television footage」是省略的副詞從句（過去分詞短語）。句子詞彙密度高，並列結構複雜。
Deniz Undav asserted that Höler's challenge was never a foul, a view echoed by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
This sentence contains a main clause "Deniz Undav asserted that Höler's challenge was never a foul", followed by an appositive noun phrase "a view echoed by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß". The appositive uses a reduced relative clause: "a view that was echoed by...". This structure adds conciseness and emphasizes the shared opinion. The verb "asserted" is a strong reporting verb.此句包含主句「Deniz Undav asserted that Höler's challenge was never a foul」，後接同位語名詞短語「a view echoed by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß」。同位語使用了省略關係代詞的被動分詞短語（「a view that was echoed by...」）。這種結構簡潔且強調觀點的一致性。動詞「asserted」是強烈的轉述動詞。
Despite the controversy, Stuttgart had a clear advantage in chances throughout the match, and their victory was not considered undeserved.
This is a compound sentence with a concessive prepositional phrase "Despite the controversy" modifying the entire sentence. The first independent clause "Stuttgart had a clear advantage in chances throughout the match" is joined by "and" to the second independent clause "their victory was not considered undeserved". The second clause employs litotes (double negative) for rhetorical effect: "not considered undeserved" implies that the victory was deserved. The structure demonstrates concessive adverbial and rhetorical device.這是一個並列句，帶有讓步介詞短語「Despite the controversy」修飾全句。第一個獨立子句「Stuttgart had a clear advantage in chances throughout the match」由「and」連接第二個獨立子句「their victory was not considered undeserved」。第二個子句使用曲言法（雙重否定）達到修辭效果：「not considered undeserved」暗示勝利是應得的。結構展現讓步狀語及修辭手法。