Union Berlin Cruise Past Gütersloh with 5–0 Victory in DFB Pokal First Round.

1. FC Union Berlin opened their 2025/26 DFB Pokal campaign in emphatic fashion on Friday evening, comfortably dispatching FC Gütersloh 5–0 in a one-sided encounter at the Heidewaldstadion.

2. The result sees the Bundesliga side advance safely into the second round of the competition, offering early encouragement for Union fans ahead of the new domestic season.

Union wasted no time asserting their dominance, controlling possession from the opening whistle and applying relentless pressure on their fifth-tier opponents.

Their superiority paid off quickly, particularly through a series of set pieces that exposed the vulnerabilities in Gütersloh’s defensive structure.

The deadlock was broken by Robert Skov, who delivered a trademark curling free-kick into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Not long after, Leopold Querfeld doubled Union’s lead with a powerful header from a corner.

The third goal, again from a set piece, came courtesy of Rani Khedira, who latched onto a loose ball after a corner scramble and fired it past the stranded goalkeeper.

By halftime, Union Berlin had a commanding 3–0 lead, with all three goals stemming from set-piece routines—a testament to their preparation and technical execution.

In the second half, Union showed no signs of easing off. With more space opening up in Gütersloh’s half, they began to play with greater fluidity and confidence.

Andrej Ilic added Union’s fourth with a composed finish inside the box after a flowing team move, marking his debut with a goal and making an immediate impression on the coaching staff and fans alike.

The fifth and final goal came from Wooyeong Jeong, who displayed great footwork and awareness to slot the ball into the bottom corner after cutting in from the left. Jeong’s contribution capped off a well-rounded team performance and underlined Union’s depth in attacking options.

While the result may have been expected given the gap between the two teams, head coach Nenad Bjelica will be particularly pleased with the professionalism and ruthlessness displayed by his squad.

With the Bundesliga season on the horizon, the performance offered a clear signal that Union are prepared and focused after a summer of transition and squad adjustments.

For FC Gütersloh, the night was a tough lesson in the realities of top-level football. However, the experience of playing against Bundesliga opposition in front of a home crowd will no doubt be a valuable chapter in their development.

Union Berlin now look ahead to their second-round DFB Pokal fixture and the start of their Bundesliga campaign, with momentum clearly on their side.