Bayer Leverkusen Reach DFB-Pokal Semi-Finals After 3-0 Win Over St. Pauli

Bayer Leverkusen reached the DFB-Pokal semi-finals with a 3-0 victory over St. Pauli, as Martin Terrier, Patrik Schick and Jonas Hofmann scored at BayArena. Kasper Hjulmand’s side are the first club to secure a last-four place in this season’s competition.

The holders, who lifted the DFB-Pokal under Xabi Alonso in 2023-24, are building a strong recent record in the tournament. Leverkusen have now come through their last four quarter-final ties, having last gone out at that stage in 2015-16 against Werder Bremen.

This campaign marks the first time Bayer Leverkusen have reached the DFB-Pokal semi-finals in three successive seasons. Hjulmand’s team have also scored in 41 consecutive matches in the competition, closing on the record of 43 held jointly

by Werder Bremen and Koln.

Despite sitting second from bottom in the Bundesliga, St. Pauli started with confidence and unsettled the hosts early. Joel Chima Fujita forced a chance in the 23rd minute, while Louis Oppie had a dangerous strike blocked by goalkeeper Janis Blaswich during a lively opening phase.

Leverkusen punished those missed opportunities eight minutes after Fujita’s effort. Terrier collected the ball near the edge of the box and drove a low shot into the bottom-left corner, giving the Bundesliga leaders control of the tie and halting St. Pauli’s promising early momentum.

St. Pauli continued to compete after half-time, yet Leverkusen produced a clinical second on the hour mark. Aleix Garcia picked out Schick with a precise pass, and the forward guided a composed finish into the bottom-right corner. Hofmann later struck the frame of the goal for the home side.

Hofmann eventually added the third in stoppage time, scoring in the 92nd minute from an Alejandro Grimaldo assist as St. Pauli tired. That late strike confirmed a 3-0 scoreline and maintained Leverkusen’s strong cup scoring streak while ensuring another appearance in the DFB-Pokal last four.

SEMI FINALS! pic.twitter.com/sxKx4JXDp8Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 3, 2026

The numbers underlined how hard Leverkusen had to work. St. Pauli had more shots, by 10 to eight, and the expected goals figures were close, at 1.28 for Leverkusen against 1.03 for the visitors, reflecting a tighter contest than the final scoreline.

Team	Goals	Shots	xG
Bayer Leverkusen	3	8	1.28
St. Pauli	0	10	1.03

Leverkusen now wait to discover their semi-final opponents, with Stuttgart, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig still to play their quarter-final ties. Bayern and Leipzig meet at the Allianz Arena on February 11, while Hjulmand’s side continue their attempt to defend the DFB-Pokal trophy.