RB Leipzig defended their German Cup title with a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on Saturday, with Christopher Nkunku scoring one second-half goal and setting up Dominik Szoboszlai for the other.
After an entertaining but even first half, in which Leipzig's Timo Werner spurned an early golden opportunity, Frankfurt looked to be on top but were stunned when Nkunku's strike took a huge deflection off Evan Ndicka in the 71st minute.
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU GIVES LEIPZIG THE LEAD IN THE POKAL FINAL pic.twitter.com/AbmG8c1Tke
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 3, 2023
The momentum was firmly back with Leipzig and Nkunku slipped in a low ball for the unmarked Szoboszlai, who found the far corner with a poised finish with five minutes remaining to seal the victory.
NKUNKU SETS UP SZOBOSZLAI FOR THE SECOND ⚡
LEIPZIG ARE CLOSING IT OUT pic.twitter.com/IPeK5SOQbr— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 3, 2023
The result meant Bayer Leverkusen, who finished sixth in the Bundesliga, qualified for the Europa League again after reaching the semi-finals this season.
@EuropaLeague, here we come! ⚫️
RB Leipzig's cup win against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0) means #Bayer04 will play in the UEFA Europa League next season.#UEL | #Werkself pic.twitter.com/7AK9v3QHiY— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) June 3, 2023
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; editing by Clare Fallon)