Wolfsburg, Germany - Brazilian midfielder Marcelinho scored an extra-time winner for German Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday to see his side through to the semi-finals of the German Cup with a 2-1 victory against SV Hamburg. The home side took the lead in the 17th minute when Brazilian Grafite scored from the penalty spot after himself having been brought down in the box by Hamburg defender Joris Mathijsen.
The game then slowed down as neither side seemed too committed to scoring, with the home side being content to sit back and allow Hamburg to come at them and the visitors failing to find the necessary touch to put the Wolfsburg goal under any real pressure.
Hamburg were the stronger side in the second half and went forward in search of an equalizer. They were rewarded in the 70th minute when Dutch captain Rafael van der Vaart scored a stunning goal from outside the area.
Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio failed to collect a freekick, instead fisting it towards substitute Mohamed Zidan, who immediately laid off to van der Vaart. His volley from 20 metres gave Benaglio no chance.
Both sides failed to find the net in the remaining 20 minutes and the game went into extra-time, during which both sides hit the upright.
It was Marcelinho who found the winner 11 minutes from the end after being sent through by Marcel Schaefer. The Brazilian beat his marker before delicately chipping the ball over goalkeeper Frank Rost.
Later Wednesday, Bayern Munich take on city rivals 1860 Munich for the last semi-final spot.
On Tuesday, second division side Carl Zeiss Jena sensationally knocked out Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart 5-4 on penalties after the game in Stuttgart ended 2-2 after extra time.
The other team through on Tuesday was Borussia Dortmund, who advanced to the semi-finals for the first time since 1989 with a 3-1 victory against big-spending second division club Hoffenheim.
