Eliminating three higher-ranked opponents from this season’s DFB Pokal gave Arminia early belief against top-flight Werder, but Die Werderaner ultimately held firm amidst a succession of crosses from Die Blauen.
After riding out a potentially tricky opening 15 minutes inside the SchucoArena, Bremen started to threaten and Marvin Ducksch’s low cross required a last-minute interception from Jonas Kersken before the lurking Andre Silva could pounce.
Arminia began to look more dangerous when their once hopeful crosses into the box started connecting, with Joel Felix’s diving header inches away from nestling into the top corner.
Die Blauen suddenly had Werder on the ropes and a hesitant Julian Malatini gave the ball away to Marius Worl, who raced into the box unopposed to curl the opener in off the post.
In a blistering final 10 minutes to end the first half, Arminia doubled their lead when Malatini inadvertently volleyed Stefano Russo’s whipped cross into his own net.
Six-time German Cup champions Werder desperately needed a response after the break and Ole Werner’s substitutes delivered shortly after the break.
Leonardo Bittencourt’s deft chip over the Arminia defence landed perfectly for Oliver Burke to slam an unstoppable half-volley high into the net past Kersken.
Arminia held firm as Die Werderaner launched forward in a desperate bid to avoid four consecutive defeats and the visitors struggled to hold their composure, with Justin Njinmah blazing wide from close range.
Roared on by the vociferous home crowd, Arminia defended resolutely for the final 10 minutes, surviving a late scare when Amos Pieper rattled the crossbar.
A disallowed goal for the hosts in stoppage time ultimately didn’t matter as they delivered a historic win, reaching their first DFB Pokal semi-final since 2014/15.
This defeat will have hurt Werner’s Werder, who continue to struggle having now endured their longest losing run since March 2024.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marius Worl (Arminia Bielefeld)
