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RB Leipzig 1-0 Wolfsburg: Sesko penalty sends hosts into DFB-Pokal semi-finals
The final place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals has been claimed by RB Leipzig, who edged to a narrow victory over Wolfsburg.
RB Leipzig sealed their place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg thanks to a well-taken second-half penalty from Benjamin Sesko.
Leipzig, who won back-to-back DFB-Pokal titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23, had chances in the first half, though failed to register a shot on target before the break.
The hosts had to soak up early pressure from Wolfsburg in the second half and almost found themselves behind after Mohamed Amoura's header struck the woodwork just three minutes after the break.
Killian Fischer was punished for a handball in the box, with Sesko stepping up to take the resulting spot-kick and sending Marius Muller the wrong way in the 69th minute.
The Slovenia forward then forced a smart save out of Muller from close range. Wolfsburg mounted a quick counter-attack following that move, but Kevin Behrens was unable to find a way past Maarten Vandevoordt.
Leipzig join holders Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart in the last four, as well as third-tier Arminia Bielefeld, who stunned Werder Bremen 2-1 on Tuesday.
Data Debrief: Sesko on the spot
After winning back-to-back titles in the competition, Leipzig saw their hopes of a third consecutive DFB-Pokal triumph ended by a 1-0 defeat to Wolfsburg last season.
They put that right on Wednesday thanks to Sesko, who scored for the third consecutive game in the competition, bringing his tally up to three goals for the season.
Wolfsburg had more attempts on target (five to Leipzig's four), but the hosts' pressure paid off. They had 16 attempts overall, accumulating 2.46 expected goals (xG), though 0.78 of that came from the penalty, while Wolfsburg accumulated just 0.81.