Stuttgart beat Holstein Kiel to reach German Cup semifinals

VfB Stuttgart reached the German Cup semifinal after a 3-0 win at Holstein Kiel on Wednesday, ending a stubborn quarterfinal in sub-zero conditions with two late goals, reported Xinhua.

The Bundesliga side controlled possession from the outset but were unsettled by Kiel's early breaks. Adrian Kapralik burst clear on the right and drove at goal in the eighth minute, only to be denied by Stuttgart keeper Alexander Nubel, and Andu Kelati later fired over from a central position.

Stuttgart's first meaningful threat arrived through Chris Fuhrich, whose low effort drifted narrowly wide. Deniz Undav then headed over after a cross from the left as the visitors began to create openings, although Kiel remained dangerous whenever they turned defence into attack.

Frustration surfaced before the interval when Bilal El Khannouss was booked after kicking the ball away in anger, with Stuttgart still searching for a cleaner rhythm in the final third.

The second half followed a similar pattern until Stuttgart struck from a set piece in the 57th minute. A free-kick from the left reached Atakan Karazor, who headed the ball on for Undav to force it over the line from close range.

Kiel were pushed to commit more men forward, but clear chances were limited against a deeper Stuttgart. El Khannouss glanced a deflected effort just wide, and substitute Aldin Jakupovic went closest for the hosts late on, first drawing a save from Nubel before missing the target moments later.

Stuttgart made the tie safe in the 89th minute when Undav released Fuhrich on the counter and he finished past Timon Weiner. Karazor added a third in stoppage time, bundling the ball in as he went to ground after contact with the goalkeeper, sending Stuttgart into the last four.