Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Werder Bremen's Niklas Moisander, Fin Bartels and Davy Klaassen with teammates applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
Bundesliga strugglers Werder Bremen stunned Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the German Cup on Tuesday to advance to the competition's quarter-finals.
Werder, deep in relegation trouble in the Bundesliga after losing eight of their last 10 league games, shocked the visitors with two goals in the first half.
New signing Davie Selke scored from close range after 16 minutes and Leonardo Bittencourt made it 2-0 with a thundering volley on the half hour.
Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland and Werder Bremen's players clash REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
The second-half introduction of in-form striker Erling Haaland, who scored seven goals in his first three games for the club, instantly gave the visitors hope and the Norwegian teenager cut the deficit in the 67th.
Milot Rashica restored the hosts' two-goal cushion three minutes later but another Dortmund teenager, 18-year-old Giovanni Reyna's sensational curled shot into the top corner set up a dramatic finale.
Despite a string of late Dortmund chances and a golden opportunity for Haaland with a header, Werder managed to hang on for victory.
Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Borussia Dortmund's Axel Witsel in action REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
Eintracht Frankfurt also advanced after Filip Kostic scored twice to help them beat last year's finalists RB Leipzig 3-1 and earn their spot in the competition's quarter-finals.
Holders Bayern Munich take on Hoffenheim for a spot in the next round on Wednesday.
Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland in action with Werder Bremen's Kevin Vogt REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Toby Davis)
Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Werder Bremen's Davie Selke shoots at goal REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Werder Bremen's Milot Rashica in action with Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Borussia Dortmund's Axel Witsel in action with Werder Bremen's Davie Selke REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Werder Bremen's Leonardo Bittencourt scores their second goal REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund - Weser-Stadion, Bremen, Germany - February 4, 2020 Werder Bremen's Davie Selke scores their first goal REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
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