Pejcinovic hat-trick on debut fires Stuttgart to 4-0 German Cup win
Synopsis
Dzenan Pejcinovic turned his German Cup debut into a hat-trick masterclass, steering Stuttgart to a 4-0 rout of third-tier Hansa Rostock. For a club that won the Cup in 2025 and reached the final in 2026, this was a statement of intent — and a debut that could not have gone better for the summer signing.
Key Takeaways
Dzenan Pejcinovic scored a hat-trick on his competitive debut for VfB Stuttgart on 22 August .
Stuttgart beat third-tier Hansa Rostock 4-0 away in the German Cup first round.
Tiago Tomas added Stuttgart's third goal in the 74th minute , firing in off the crossbar.
Stuttgart — 2025 German Cup winners and 2026 finalists — advance to the second round.
Eintracht Frankfurt set a club record with an 11-0 win over SC St.
Tonis in the same round.
Ibrahim Kanate settled the Kaiserslautern vs Waldhof Mannheim derby in the 120th minute after a 35-minute stoppage.
Dzenan Pejcinovic announced himself to VfB Stuttgart supporters in emphatic fashion on 22 August, scoring a hat-trick on his competitive debut as the 2025 German Cup winners cruised to a 4-0 first-round victory away to third-tier Hansa Rostock. The summer signing's performance was the defining story of an otherwise comfortable evening for the Bundesliga side.
How the Goals Came
Maximilian Mittelstadt had already tested the Rostock defence before Pejcinovic opened his Stuttgart account in the 18th minute. Tiago Tomas capitalised on a defensive error in Rostock's buildup, releasing the new signing, who held off pressure from surrounding defenders before slotting into the bottom-right corner.
Pejcinovic struck again in the 37th minute, converting a pass from Deniz Undav into the top-right corner to double Stuttgart's advantage. Rostock had offered brief resistance through chances for Andreas Voglsammer and Benno Dietze, but Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow produced a sharp reaction save against Yannick Michaelis just before the interval to preserve the lead.
Second Half and Stuttgart's Control
The tempo eased after the break, with play briefly halted for several minutes following pyrotechnics from home supporters in the stands. Aymen Dajaku tested Bredlow with a solo run, but Stuttgart retained firm control of possession throughout.
Tiago Tomas effectively ended the contest in the 74th minute, collecting an Undav through ball and firing in off the underside of the crossbar from a tight angle. Pejcinovic completed his hat-trick eight minutes later, positioning centrally to convert a pass from Josha Vagnoman and cap a remarkable first competitive outing.
Stuttgart's Cup Pedigree and What's Next
The result safely advances the 2025 German Cup winners — and 2026 finalists — into the second round. Stuttgart's attention now turns to the Bundesliga, where they travel to face defending champions Bayern Munich in their league opener. New signing Grischa Promel reflected the squad's mood after the match: 'It was intense, but we were prepared for that.'
Elsewhere in the First Round
Eintracht Frankfurt recorded the biggest German Cup victory in the club's history with an 11-0 demolition of SC St. Tonis. Karlsruhe came from behind to defeat Preussen Munster 2-1, while Kaiserslautern needed extra time to edge Waldhof Mannheim 1-0 after a 35-minute interruption caused by crowd disturbances. Substitute Ibrahim Kanate settled that southwest derby with a curling effort from 20 metres in the 120th minute.
Point of View
It sets an expectation that is difficult to sustain. Pejcinovic's performance will generate excitement, but the more telling test arrives immediately — a Bundesliga trip to Bayern Munich. Stuttgart's Cup pedigree is already established; what the 2025-26 season demands is whether they can convert cup form into consistent league performance. The Rostock result was routine on paper, but the manner of Pejcinovic's arrival gives the squad a tangible lift heading into that opener.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dzenan Pejcinovic and why is his debut significant?
Dzenan Pejcinovic is a summer signing for VfB Stuttgart who scored a hat-trick in his very first competitive appearance for the club, a 4-0 German Cup win over Hansa Rostock on 22 August. Hat-tricks on competitive debuts are exceptionally rare and immediately mark him as one to watch in Stuttgart's 2025-26 campaign.
What was the result of Stuttgart vs Hansa Rostock in the German Cup?
VfB Stuttgart defeated third-tier Hansa Rostock 4-0 away on 22 August in the German Cup first round. Dzenan Pejcinovic scored three goals and Tiago Tomas added the fourth.
Who else scored for Stuttgart in the 4-0 win?
Tiago Tomas scored Stuttgart's third goal in the 74th minute, collecting a Deniz Undav through ball and finishing off the underside of the crossbar from a tight angle.
What are Stuttgart's biggest recent German Cup achievements?
Stuttgart won the German Cup in 2025 and reached the final in 2026, making them one of the competition's most prominent recent sides. Their first-round victory over Hansa Rostock confirms their progression into the second round.
What other notable results came from the German Cup first round?
Eintracht Frankfurt set a club record with an 11-0 win over SC St. Tonis, the biggest German Cup victory in the club's history. Kaiserslautern beat Waldhof Mannheim 1-0 in extra time after a 35-minute interruption, with substitute Ibrahim Kanate scoring the winner in the 120th minute.
