In a stunning upset, second-division Arminia Bielefeld defeated Bundesliga club Werder Bremen 1-0 at their home stadium in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, with a dramatic late goal by substitute Isaiah Young in the 93rd minute.

Werder Bremen, under new coach Horst Steffen, played most of the match with ten men after Leonardo Bittencourt received a red card in the 54th minute, which significantly impacted their offensive efforts.

The decisive goal came from a counterattack initiated by Benjamin Boakye, with Isaiah Young scoring from a clear position in the penalty area after a pass from the left flank.

Bremen had early chances through Marco Grüll and Felix Agu but failed to convert, and their offensive struggles were compounded after Bittencourt's red card.

Bremen, still developing under new coach Steffen and missing key offensive players like Marvin Ducksch and Oliver Burke, struggled offensively throughout the match.

Despite their cup victory, Bielefeld remains confident, with coach Mitch Kniat praising their patience and performance, while Bremen's Steffen expressed disappointment, citing the red card's impact.

Bielefeld captain Mael Corboz extended his contract until at least June 2028 and acknowledged that the team did not play their best in the first half but capitalized on Bremen's mistakes.

Bielefeld has a history of defeating Bremen in the DFB-Pokal, including three victories, notably last season when they beat Bremen as a third-division team and reached the final.

The match was intense and fast-paced, with early chances for Bremen and Bielefeld, and key moments including a near goal from Marco Grüll and a crucial counterattack leading to the winning goal.

Bielefeld will face Dynamo Dresden in the second round on October 28/29, while Bremen will start their Bundesliga season against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bielefeld's victory continues their impressive cup record against Bremen, highlighting their resilience and history of upsets in the competition.

Bremen's struggles under the new coach and the loss of offensive players have hampered their performance, but they remain competitive and are preparing for the Bundesliga season.