Frankfurt into German Cup final after comeback win over Stuttgart

STUTTGART, Germany: Eintracht Frankfurt came from a goal down to book a date with RB Leipzig in the German Cup final with a 3-2 win over Stuttgart on Wednesday. Trailing after a Tiago Tomas goal, the Europa League champions scored two goals in five second-half minutes through Evan Ndicka and Daichi Kamada to turn the game.

France striker Randal Kolo Muani was brought down in the box with 15 minutes remaining and converted the penalty. Stuttgart’s Enzo Millot pulled one back but the home side were reduced to 10 men shortly after when Borna Sosa picked up a second yellow.

Frankfurt survived a VAR review for a handball in the penalty area in the seventh minute of injury time to remain on track for a sixth German Cup title. Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner admitted his team “were lucky today,” telling Germany’s ARD network “I’m crazily happy and proud of the boys.” “We’re very happy to be going to Berlin.” Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow said his side’s “disappointment is huge,” complaining “the ball clearly hit the arm” of a Frankfurt player in the final seconds.

“With a little bit of luck we’d get the penalty, we’d shoot 3-3 and it’d go into extra time.” Despite sitting just one spot above the Bundesliga relegation spots on goal difference, hosts Stuttgart came into the match unbeaten in five games under new manager Sebastian Hoeness. Ninth in the league, Frankfurt arrived amid a terrible run of form, with only one win in 11 matches since being eliminated from the Champions League by Napoli.

Tomas gave Stuttgart the lead after 18 minutes, smashing the ball past goalie Kevin Trapp at the near post after collecting a cutback from Josha Vagnoman. Frankfurt emerged from the half-time break a different side and took the