Amongst the mist generated by the raucous pre-game celebrations, Stuttgart began the match like a side unbeaten in five games and had their opponents backed up in their own half in the early stages.
Still, the away side possessed a weapon in the form of the oftentimes-unstoppable Randal Kolo Muani, and his winning of set-pieces was pivotal in enabling his side to get a foothold in the game. However, the visitors were to be disarmed soon after, as Stuttgart seized the advantage in the battle for a place in the final.
Waldemar Anton had moved into the centre of defence from his usual right-back slot but the Uzbekistan-born defender still showed his attacking ability to slice through the Frankfurt lines with a killer ball to initiate the attack. Josha Vagnoman was the beneficiary, and the newly-capped German international cut back for Tiago Tomas, who rasped a shot inside the near post.
The setback gave Frankfurt the motivation to push forward, but they were repeatedly hit on the counter-attack, and Silas missed the best chance of the half’s remaining minutes, failing to slide the ball through the legs of Trapp.
Frankfurt had already knocked out their opponents’ city rivals Stuttgarter Kickers earlier in the tournament, and they grabbed a quick-fire double to sensationally turn the tie on its head after the break.
Ever the creative force in Frankfurt’s attack, Kolo Muani set up the first when he brought the ball down for Evan Ndicka to strike in a powerful volley.
Oliver Glasner’s half-time words were working to great effect, and Daichi Kamada completed the comeback with a tricky run and driven shot from distance, which just about found the bottom corner.
The visitors continued to dominate, and Stuttgart’s fate looked sealed when Bredlow took down Kolo Muani in the box, allowing the Frenchman to dispatch the resulting penalty with aplomb.
There was time for Stuttgart to restore some belief when Enzo Millot curled in to make it 3-2, but a second yellow card for Borna Sosa proved to be the final nail for Die Roten.
Frankfurt fans will travel to the capital dreaming that their side can adorn their trophy cabinet with a sixth DFB Pokal - a tally which would render them second only to Bayern Munich. It was disappointment for Stuttgart, meanwhile, although Sebastian Hoeness can at least take consolation in the fact that he can now focus on their vital drive to avoid relegation.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt)
