The 2026-27 German Women’s Cup served up an early dose of drama on August 16, as Rot-Weiss Erfurt Women and Ingolstadt 04 Women played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes. With a place in the next round on the line, the tie needed extra time and eventually a nerve-shredding penalty shootout to separate two sides who refused to give an inch.

Match Overview

Both teams arrived at this first-round cup clash with ambition and a point to prove. Rot-Weiss Erfurt, playing in front of a vocal home crowd, started brightly and looked to impose themselves early. Ingolstadt 04, however, demonstrated the composure of a side well-drilled in cup football, soaking up pressure and threatening on the break. The opening exchanges were cagey, but the match quickly developed into an open, entertaining contest.

The home side thought they had made the breakthrough midway through the first half when a corner kick was met with a powerful header at the near post. The celebrations were short-lived, though, as the linesman flagged for a push in the box. Erfurt kept pushing, and their persistence paid off just before the interval, when a slick passing move cut through the Ingolstadt defence and the striker slotted calmly past the keeper.

Key Moments

• 44’ – Erfurt take the lead: A well-worked team goal, finished with composure from close range, gave the hosts a deserved half-time advantage.
• 67’ – Ingolstadt equalise: A penalty, awarded after a clumsy challenge in the box, was dispatched with power into the bottom corner to level the score.
• 85’ – Erfurt hit the woodwork: A dipping free-kick from 25 yards rattled the crossbar, leaving the home fans holding their heads in disbelief.
• 90+2’ – Ingolstadt deny a late winner: A last-ditch sliding block prevented Erfurt’s substitute from turning in a low cross from the right.

Tactical Story

Rot-Weiss Erfurt lined up in a compact 4-4-2 shape, looking to win the ball high up the pitch and feed their two forwards quickly. Their full-backs were encouraged to push forward, creating overloads in wide areas, and it was from these areas that they posed the most consistent threat.

Ingolstadt 04, by contrast, preferred a more patient approach, keeping a deep block and relying on the pace of their wingers to launch counter-attacks. After going behind, they adjusted their pressing intensity, pushing higher and forcing Erfurt into mistakes. Their equaliser came from a sustained period of pressure, and they finished the match as the side most likely to nick a winner in extra time.

Standout Players

• Erfurt’s captain in midfield: Controlled the tempo, won her duels, and was the creative spark behind most of her team’s best moments.
• Ingolstadt’s goalkeeper: Made several crucial saves, including a brilliant one-on-one stop in the second half, and was named player of the match.
• The Ingolstadt penalty scorer: Showed ice-cool nerve from 12 yards at a pivotal moment and continued to cause problems with her direct running.

What the Result Means

After the 1-1 draw, the tie moved into extra time and then to penalties, as is customary in the German Women’s Cup. For Rot-Weiss Erfurt, this was a chance to claim a notable cup scalp, while Ingolstadt 04 demonstrated why they are seen as one of the more dangerous non-Bundesliga sides in the competition.

For neutrals, the match was a perfect advertisement for the growing quality and competitiveness of the Frauen-Pokal. Both teams left everything on the pitch, and the eventual winner will carry significant confidence into the next round. The result was a reminder that the German Women’s Cup remains one of the most unpredictable and exciting knockout competitions in European women’s football.