 |
| Grischa Proemel of 1.FC Union Berlin is challenged by Emil Forsberg of RB Leipzig during the DFB Cup semi final match between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Union Berlin at Red Bull Arena on April 20, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany. |
An injury-time header from Emil Forsberg has taken RB Leipzig into the German Cup final with a tense 2-1 home win over Union Berlin.
Forsberg nodded the winner two minutes into added time on Wednesday, just seconds after Angelino's drive had been cleared off the line by Timo Baumgartl.
Leipzig had equalised midway through the second half with Andre Silva's penalty after Sheraldo Becker had given the visitors the lead in the first period of the semi-final.
Union defended resolutely before being broken in the dying seconds by Leipzig, who will now chase their maiden title in the May 21 final in Berlin against Freiburg.
Leipzig lost cup finals in 2019 and 2021 to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund but are in magnificent form under coach Domenico Tedesco, having not lost in 15 games in all competitions.
Tedesco has overseen their charge to third in the Bundesliga and Leipzig also have continental trophy hopes as they are in the Europa League semi-final.
They looked in trouble throughout a stuffy first half which saw Union take a deserved lead in the 25th minute. Captain Christopher Trimmel sent a delightful cross to the back post which Becker converted.
Silva stroked wide when he should have levelled but the game turned on the hour mark when Becker and Taiwo Awoniyi failed to convert a great opportunity on the counter-attack.
Barely a minute later a video review deemed Christopher Nkunku had been fouled by Paul Jaeckel and Silva smashed home the spot-kick.
Union had been roared on by a super travelling support among the attendance of just over 47,000, a record at the reconfigured Leipzig stadium, but tired late on.
Baumgartl kept them alive when the winner loomed but Benjamin Henrichs crossed the loose ball back into the box and Forsberg was there to spark wild celebrations in the home stands.
