FC Augsburg avoided a major DFB-Pokal upset on 28 October 2026, defeating SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach 4-2 at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena to book their place in the third round. The Bundesliga side were made to work for the result by a determined Grossaspach outfit, but their superior quality in the final third ultimately settled a lively cup tie.

Match overview

Augsburg began with the control expected of a top-flight team, moving the ball quickly through midfield and forcing Grossaspach into a deep defensive shape. The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute when Mergim Berisha timed his run behind the back line and finished calmly after a clever through ball from Arne Maier.

Grossaspach responded well rather than folding. The hosts equalised in the 27th minute after winning possession in midfield and attacking quickly, with their forward driving a low shot beyond the Augsburg goalkeeper. Augsburg restored their advantage before the break through Elvis Rexhbecaj, whose left-footed strike from the edge of the box found the bottom corner. But the underdogs were not finished, and a set-piece goal in first-half stoppage time sent the teams into the interval level at 2-2.

Key moments

• 14th minute: Berisha opens the scoring for Augsburg after a slick midfield build-up.
• 27th minute: Grossaspach equalise with a fast counter-attack and a low finish.
• 43rd minute: Rexhbecaj curls Augsburg back in front from the edge of the area.
• 45+2 minutes: Grossaspach score from a set piece to make it 2-2 at half-time.
• 63rd minute: Phillip Tietz heads Augsburg into a 3-2 lead.
• 82nd minute: Berisha seals the win on the counter-attack.

Tactical story

Augsburg lined up with a familiar 4-2-3-1 shape, using Maier between the lines and demanding width from their full-backs. Grossaspach defended in a compact 5-4-1 block and looked to spring forward through quick transitions, which worked well in the first half. The difference after the break was Augsburg’s increased tempo and sharper pressing, which forced the hosts deeper and created more space around the penalty area.

Standout players

Berisha was the decisive figure with two goals, while Maier’s creativity gave Augsburg a constant outlet in central areas. Tietz’s header proved to be the winning moment, and Rexhbecaj’s first-half strike was a reminder of the visitors’ ability to score from distance. For Grossaspach, their captain and goalkeeper deserved credit for keeping the tie competitive deep into the second half.

What the result means

The win sends Augsburg into the next round of the DFB-Pokal and protects them from the kind of early-round upset that can define a cup campaign. For Grossaspach, the defeat ends their run but offers plenty of encouragement, especially after twice equalising against Bundesliga opposition. The hosts will now turn their attention back to league duties, while Augsburg can take confidence from a professional, if occasionally uncomfortable, away performance.