Borussia Dortmund lose German Cup shootout to Werder Bremen after 3-3 thriller

Borussia Dortmund were knocked out of the German Cup 4-2 on penalties by visitors Werder Bremen in the last 16 on Tuesday after a thrilling 3-3 draw, with the Bundesliga leaders twice throwing away the lead in extra time.

Max Kruse netted the decisive spot kick for Bremen whose goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka had saved penalties from Dortmund`s Paco Alcacer and Maximilian Philipp.

A disappointing end to our DFB Pokal run.

We will come back stronger #BVBSVW pic.twitter.com/x5xKiVVRIX — Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 5, 2019

Achraf Hakimi`s 113th minute strike appeared to have clinched Dortmund`s place in the quarter-finals but Bremen`s Martin Harnik netted six minutes later to force the shootout.

Bremen, who are 10th in the league standings, took a fifth minute lead through Milot Rashica but Dortmund captain Marco Reus levelled in the first-half stoppage time from a free kick. Reus had to be substituted due to injury after the interval. 

U.S international Christian Pulisic put the hosts 2-1 ahead at the end of the first half of extra time but Claudio Pizarro levelled for Bremen after the second interval, with Hakimi and Harnik further scoring a goal apiece for each side before the shootout.