Freiburg beats Hertha Berlin on penalties to advance to German Cup semifinals

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Freiburg's Yuito Suzuki, left, scores in the penalty shootout against Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Tjark Ernst in a German Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Hertha BSC Berlin and SC Freiburg in Berlin, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Hertha Berlins' Fabian Reese celebrates after scoring a goal during the German Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Hertha Berlin and SC Freiburg in Berlin, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP) — Freiburg's Yuito Suzuki, left, scores in the penalty shootout against Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Tjark Ernst in a German Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Hertha BSC Berlin and SC Freiburg in Berlin, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

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6:51 PM on Tuesday, February 10

The Associated Press

BERLIN, Germany (AP) — Freiburg advanced to the semifinals of the German Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout win at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.

Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Muller saved Pascal Klemens' sudden death spot kick in the Olympiastadion in Berlin to secure his team's place in the last four of the competition. Yuito Suzuki's strike had put the visitors 5-4 in front, meaning Klemens had to score to keep the shootout going.

After the game ended goalless in regulation time, Yuito Suzuki fired Freiburg ahead in the 96th minute. Eight minutes later the game was level again when Fabian Reese struck with a shot into the top corner.

Muller denied Michael Cuisance earlier in the shootout, but Freiburg's Johan Manzambi then saw his spot kick saved by Hertha keeper Tjark Ernst.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer