Gütersloh vs Union Berlin

The late-summer evening at Heidewaldstadion in Gütersloh brought an air of anticipation as the Regionalliga West side welcomed Bundesliga’s Union Berlin for this DFB-Pokal first-round encounter. The quaint, intimate stands buzzed with hope, the smell of bratwurst drifting through the air, and the thought of a giant-killing lingering in the minds of home supporters. Union arrived with the poise of an established top-tier force, eager to avoid any cup surprises, and from the opening whistle, their control was evident.

The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Robert Skov stepped up for a free-kick just outside the box and delivered a moment of pure class, curling the ball into the top corner beyond a helpless goalkeeper. Union’s dominance grew, and by the 35th minute, Leopold Querfeld doubled the lead with a precise header from a corner. Gütersloh’s defensive lines struggled to cope with the visitors’ set-piece mastery, and before the halftime whistle, Rani Khedira made it 3-0, redirecting a loose ball into the net amid chaos in the penalty area.

The second half began with a jolt of concern rather than celebration. Just two minutes after the restart, Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow collapsed on the pitch, appearing dazed and overheated under the sweltering August temperatures. Medical staff rushed on as the stadium held its breath, and Rönnow was eventually helped off and transported for further evaluation, with Matheo Raab taking his place between the posts. Despite the unsettling moment, Union retained their composure and controlled the pace of the match.

With Gütersloh chasing shadows and their attacks breaking down early, Union pressed on to increase the scoreline. In the 79th minute, Andrej Ilic got his reward for persistent forward movement, calmly slotting home the fourth goal. The final blow came deep in stoppage time when Woo-yeong Jeong pounced on a defensive lapse to make it 5-0, sealing a commanding away victory that left no doubt about the gulf in quality between the two sides.

While Union Berlin marched confidently into the next round, the night’s narrative wasn’t without mixed emotions. The performance showcased their ruthless efficiency from set-pieces and sharp attacking play, but Rönnow’s sudden collapse served as a sobering reminder of the physical toll and unpredictability of football. For Gütersloh, the result was harsh, yet the occasion provided invaluable experience and a memorable night under the floodlights against one of Germany’s rising forces.

Watch and Download Gütersloh vs Union Berlin full match replay and highlights, At Friday, August 15, 2025. The match played at Heidewaldstadion in DFB Pokal, Germany.

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