Two Austrian internationals score! Schalke struggles into the next cup round

Coach Miron Muslic and FC Schalke 04 barely make it through the second round of the DFB-Pokal. The Bundesliga promoted side is forced into extra time against fourth-tier club Hallescher FC, but prevails 5:2 after 120 minutes.

The first good chance of the match belongs to the underdog from Halle, Fabrice Hartmann narrowly missing the left corner with a free-kick (14').

It takes a while for Schalke - Dejan Ljubicic starts, Junior Adamu comes on after the break, Maximilian Wöber is on the bench - to become truly dangerous.

Conceded Goal Shortly Before Halftime

The "Knappen" finally get a real chance in the 27th minute, as Vitalie Becker steers a cross against the crossbar. Moussa Sylla is denied by Luca Bendel in the 36th minute.

Instead, the goal falls at the other end: Vin Kastull taps in a rebound from a corner to make it 1:0 for the Regionalliga club.

After the break, Schalke significantly increases the tempo. Nikola Katic narrowly misses with a header (54'), and Sylla is once again denied by Bendel (59'). In the 62nd minute, Schalke equalizes - an Austrian international scores the goal. Ljubicic converts a botched clearance attempt by Burim Halili to make it 1:1.

Schalke Forced to Play Extra Time

An old hand then turns the game around for Schalke. Substitute Edin Dzeko narrowly misses the target in the 78th minute, but three minutes later, the 40-year-old converts a penalty. However, Halle takes risks to keep the sensation alive - and it pays off. With a strong play, Niclas Stierlin scores in stoppage time to make it 2:2, sending his team into extra time (90+1').

There, favorite Schalke lives up to its role. Sylla scores with a direct shot (98'), Adamu heads in a goal off the inside of the post from a Sylla assist to make it 2:4 (10+1'). HFC can no longer close this deficit and even has to finish the match with ten men due to injuries. Dzeko scores the final goal, making it 2:5 in the 117th minute.