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Fourth-tier Rot-Weiss Essen shock Leverkusen in German Cup

Essen players celebrate their shock German Cup win over Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16. ©AFP

Berlin (AFP) - Fourth-division club Rot-Weiss Essen continued their giant-killing run in the German Cup on Tuesday by defeating last season's runners-up Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 after extra time to reach the quarter-finals.

Jamaica international Leon Bailey put the Bundesliga team ahead in the 105th minute of the last-16 tie, but Essen levelled soon after with a goal from Oguzhan Kefkir.

Unbeaten since February 1 of last year, Simon Engelmann scored the winner for Essen on 117 minutes as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition claimed another scalp following wins over Arminia Bielefeld and second-tier Fortuna Dusseldorf in previous rounds.

Essen, who are currently second to Borussia Dortmund's reserves in the Regionalliga West, won the German Cup in 1952-53, the first edition of the tournament after World War II.

Dortmund's first team threw away a two-goal lead but overcame second-division Paderborn 3-2 in extra time courtesy of a 95th-minute goal by Erling Braut Haaland.

Emre Can and Jadon Sancho struck in the first half as Dortmund appeared to be cruising, but Julian Justvan gave Paderborn hope and Prince Oseu Owusu equalised from the spot deep into stoppage time.

The visitors were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, which nullified an effort from Haaland.

However, the Norwegian striker grabbed the winner in extra time after another lengthy consultation with VAR.

Werder Bremen beat Greuther Fuerth 2-0.

Bundesliga 2 side Holstein Kiel, who knocked out holders Bayern Munich in the last round on penalties, outlasted Darmstadt 7-6 in another shootout following a 1-1 draw.

RB Leipzig host second-division Bochum on Wednesday, while Stuttgart play Borussia Moenchengladbach and Wolfsburg face Schalke.

The draw for the quarter-finals will be conducted on Sunday, with the ties scheduled for March 2 and 3.

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