Frankfurt reaches German Cup semis thanks to Mainz blunders

Eintracht Frankfurt booked its place in the German Cup semifinals with a 3-0 derby win at home over Mainz on Wednesday.

Three mistakes from the visitors gifted Frankfurt its goals, and Mainz' also had Danny Latza sent off late for a rash challenge on Marco Fabian.

Mainz goalkeeper Rene Adler, making his return from a thigh injury that had sidelined him since the end of October, was at fault for Frankfurt's opener in the 17th minute. The former Germany goalkeeper lost control of a simple back-pass from Stefan Bell and Ante Rebic pounced before receiving the ball back from Marius Wolf to score.

Alexander Hack then scored an own goal early in the second half and followed it up with a defensive blunder that allowed Omar Mascarell to make it 3-0 after an hour played.

Latza's red card ended any pretense of a contest, and furious Mainz fans berated their team after the final whistle.

Schalke was hosting Wolfsburg in the other quarterfinal later. Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen advanced on Tuesday.

Schalke edge past Wolfsburg

Schalke were out to bounce back from last weekend’s home defeat against Werder Bremen, and recalled striker Burgstaller took his first big chance to impress.

Only two passes were required to turn a Wolfsburg attack into a Schalke one that saw Burgstaller racing clear from halfway.

The Austrian did well to get into the penalty area, and was then given an age to calmly pick his spot.

Having made that goal, Marko Pjaca then dragged two efforts wide himself, but Wolfsburg were unlucky not to level midway through the half when Yunus Malli watched a beautifully cushioned half-volley from the edge of the box come back off the bar.

The second half was largely uneventful, with an early Malli shot on target proving something of a false dawn for the visitors. Schalke were content not to take too many risks, and they were never really threatened as they comfortably closed out the win.