Hertha BSC's hopes of reaching the DFB-Pokal final on home soil came to an end in a tense penalty shootout against SC Freiburg, who won 5-4 on penalties. After a tightly contested match that saw both teams level at 1-1 following extra time, Hertha failed to convert the decisive penalty, putting Freiburg one step closer to what would be their first cup victory in club history. Freiburg now joins Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart in the semi-finals of the tournament.

The match unfolded in front of 56,743 spectators at the Olympiastadion, highlighting a fiercely competitive atmosphere. The first half ended scoreless, but excitement picked up in the second half when Freiburg's Yuito Suzuki capitalized on a significant mistake by Hertha's Linus Gechter for the opening goal. Hertha's captain, Fabian Reese, kept the team’s hopes alive with a stunning equalizer in the 104th minute, temporarily revitalizing their chances of progressing but ultimately leading to a nerve-wracking shootout.

The dramatic finale involved numerous missed opportunities, culminating in Freiburg's goalkeeper Florian Müller making a critical save against Pascal Klemens' penalty kick. As a result, Freiburg continues their quest for a historic cup win, further emphasizing the importance of this match in the broader context of German football and the hopes of clubs seeking to establish themselves more firmly on the national stage.