Dzeko double fires Schalke past Hallescher FC 5-2 in German Cup thriller
Synopsis
Schalke 04 needed extra time and a Dzeko masterclass — two goals and two assists — to beat fourth-tier Hallescher FC 5-2 in the German Cup first round. Twice pegged back by the lower-league side, the Bundesliga outfit only pulled clear after the 90th minute, raising early questions about their set-piece vulnerability ahead of Sunday's Bundesliga opener at Augsburg.
Key Takeaways
Edin Dzeko scored twice and assisted two further goals as Schalke 04 beat Hallescher FC 5-2 after extra time on 25 August .
Hallescher FC , a fourth-tier side, twice equalised — the second time through Niclas Stierlin in stoppage time to force extra time.
Dzeko's contributions came after being introduced as a substitute by coach Miron Muslic in the second half.
Moussa Sylla and substitute Junior Adamu also scored during extra time to seal the result.
Hamburg (3-0 vs SC Verl) and Cologne (2-1 vs Wurzburger Kickers) also advanced in the first round.
Schalke face Augsburg away in their Bundesliga season opener on Sunday .
Edin Dzeko scored twice and had a hand in two further goals as Schalke 04 survived a dramatic scare to eliminate fourth-tier Hallescher FC 5-2 after extra time in the German Cup first round on 25 August. The Bundesliga side needed 117 minutes to see off their lower-league opponents, who twice threatened to cause an upset.
How Halle Stunned Schalke
The hosts took a surprise lead shortly before halftime when Vin Kastull capitalised on a failed clearance and drilled the ball into the far corner. Schalke eventually levelled in the 62nd minute after Halle defender Burim Halili slipped attempting to deal with Adil Aouchiche's delivery, leaving Dejan Ljubicic to finish into the left corner.
Dzeko Changes the Game
Coach Miron Muslic introduced Dzeko and Robin Gosens as Schalke pressed for a winner. The Bosnian striker converted from the penalty spot in the 81st minute to put Schalke ahead. However, Halle refused to fold — goalkeeper Loris Karius made a late stop before Niclas Stierlin drove home from a corner in stoppage time to force extra time.
Schalke Pull Clear in Extra Time
Dzeko then took control in the additional period. He delivered a cross for Moussa Sylla to make it 3-2 in the 98th minute, and Sylla then crossed for substitute Junior Adamu to head home at the end of the first period of extra time. Dzeko completed the rout with a finish from Gosens' pass in the 117th minute, sealing a 5-2 victory.
What Gosens Said
'We are happy that we are through. We were dominant for 90 minutes but lacked power in the final third and were vulnerable from set pieces,' said Gosens. 'We conceded goals at unfortunate moments, but we are through and that is the main thing.'
Other German Cup Results
Elsewhere in the first round, Bundesliga sides Hamburg and Cologne also advanced. Hamburg beat third-tier SC Verl 3-0, while Cologne came from behind to edge Wurzburger Kickers 2-1. Schalke now turn their attention to their Bundesliga opener, away to Augsburg on Sunday.
Point of View
Not a one-off: conceding from a corner in stoppage time at home against lower-league opposition is the kind of detail that will not escape Augsburg's coaching staff. Dzeko's impact off the bench is encouraging, but the fact that Schalke required him to rescue the tie rather than control it from the start points to a depth and intensity problem that one cup win cannot paper over.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Schalke and Hallescher FC in the German Cup?
Schalke 04 beat Hallescher FC 5-2 after extra time in the German Cup first round on 25 August. The match was level at 2-2 after 90 minutes before Schalke pulled away in extra time.
How did Edin Dzeko perform against Hallescher FC?
Dzeko scored twice — one from the penalty spot in the 81st minute and one in the 117th minute — and also provided assists for Moussa Sylla's and Junior Adamu's goals. He came on as a second-half substitute and was the decisive figure in the tie.
Why did the match go to extra time?
Hallescher FC's Niclas Stierlin equalised from a corner in stoppage time to make it 2-2 and force extra time, after Schalke had taken the lead through Dzeko's penalty in the 81st minute.
What is Schalke's next fixture after the German Cup win?
Schalke kick off their Bundesliga campaign away to Augsburg on Sunday, making their cup performance a subject of scrutiny ahead of the league opener.
Which other Bundesliga clubs advanced in the German Cup first round?
Hamburg beat third-tier SC Verl 3-0, and Cologne came from behind to edge Wurzburger Kickers 2-1, both advancing alongside Schalke in the first round.
