Highlights: Leverkusen - Stuttgart | Quarter Final | DFB-POKAL 2023/2024

High flyers in three competitions, Xabi Alonso's undefeated Leverkusen put their cup lives on the line in this the only all Bundesliga quarterfinal versus Sebastian Hoeneß's VfB Stuttgart. On the corner here Angelo Stiller for Stuttgart. What can this set piece produce? In by Stiller, Anton Feinspace and Anton Feins left off for Stuttgart tonight. Edmond Tapsova's marking here was far from touch tight and Anton makes him and Leverkusen pay. The game's first goal comes just 11 minutes in to this quarterfinal tie. The first incision made by Stuttgart. Leverkusen's last loss, May the 27th in Borkum, 255 days ago. Here is Mathieu Courvache whose pass is poor and seized on and here's Carrizor. What a chance that was for 2-0 for Stuttgart. We've had half an hour. Here's Frimpong on to van Vleuten and Wiertz and Wiertz here through the gearbox. Wiertz goes on and on. The ball given away, he's straight to Granit Xhaka for Leverkusen and now Grimaldo, he'll take it on. He has scored some superb goals in this, his first Leverkusen season. This was not too far over the crossbar. Into the first half's last five minutes. Here's Granit Xhaka, Xhaka for Grimaldo, Grimaldo's stale. Oh, the ball breaks for Patrick Schick to look up time. Oh, but hang on, on this near side the flag is up. It was a super move, this trademark Xabi Alonso football. But look for number 14, Patrick Schick, just here beyond the last defender and this goal will indeed be chalked off. It stays 1-0. They are getting closer as we near half-time. Grimaldo has already thumped in two free kicks in the Bundesliga this season. It's Grimaldo here from range, oh, move that across to make a terrific save in the Stuttgart goal. In these situations he almost always hits the target and makes the goalkeeper work. The pressure building towards half-time. The clock says now we've had 44 first half minutes. Corner short now to Jonas Hoffmann. Hoffmann and Florian Wierzow drops the shoulder. Wierzow and the ball smuggled behind by Alexander Neuber. Schick here is the danger man and the goalkeeper was wide awake. Captain Anton's goal, the half-time difference for Stuttgart. For Divertself, work to do or this dream is over. In the league they've dropped just eight points so far in 20 matches, Leverkusen. Here is Alex Grimaldo for Divertself. The cross, it'll break back here for Andris. He'll take it on, oh goodness. What a finish, Robert Andris. It's his first goal for just under a year for Leverkusen. But this is a strike as precise and pure as you will ever see to level this cup tie at 1-1 on 50 minutes. Absolute stunner. Matija Kovac has been Javi Alonso's preferred goalkeeper in the cup competitions this season. His pass here is rather heavy. He'll come here for Enzo Miu. And Chris Fjordish opens up here to make it 2-1. And they're back in front, Stuttgart. A few teams have given Leverkusen this kind of test this season. And this lead does not flatter at all, Stuttgart. The home team here guilty of overplaying perhaps. And Fjordish here to punish with an emphatic finish. Made by Miu. And the top corner picked out here with real accuracy. On 64 minutes, a double change for Javi Alonso. We're going to see a home debut here for new Spanish striker Borja Iglesias. And also Amine Adli's first game since the Africa Cup of Nations. This is Mkapje. Mkapje now to find Florian Wiertz. Wiertz. What a pass. Adli gets away. Amine Adli! And the cup tie level again. But what a pass by Florian Wiertz here to find Amine Adli. On the field for 155 seconds only to level the match. Rapid, exciting, incisive attacking football. That's the Leverkusen way this season. They don't know when they're beaten. In the last minute of normal time, the corner goes in, forced away by Stuttgart. Now the ball is with Florian Wiertz. Oh, what a cross to Jonathan Tah! What a way to win. And Martin Tah has Leverkusen celebrating. But once more Wiertz here, goalmaker with a superb assist, his second of the night. It's 30 games without loss. Leverkusen's season off seasons now has a semi-final date in its diary. Heartbreak for Stuttgart. But Xabi Alonso is now one win away from the final in Berlin. And a trophy this club hasn't won for some 31 years.