German Cup match marred by fireworks, pitch invasion

Associated Press

Aug 21, 2026

SV Mannheim supporters storm the field during the Germany Cup soccer match between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Mannheim, Germany. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

SV Waldhof Mannheim goalkeeper Thijmen Nijhuis covers his face as smoke caused by pyrotechnics lit by fans blankets the stadium during the Germany Cup soccer match between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Mannheim, Germany. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

Police officers stand in front of the SV Waldhof Mannheim fan section as smoke caused by pyrotechnics lit by fans rise during the Germany Cup soccer match between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Mannheim, Germany. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

An SV Waldhof Mannheim supporter is escorted away off the pitch by police officers during the Germany Cup soccer match between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in Mannheim, Germany. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

MANNHEIM, Germany (AP) — A German Cup match between Waldhof Mannheim and Kaiserslautern was halted for about half an hour on Friday as fans threw fireworks and other objects and invaded the pitch.

The match was tied at 0-0 and heading into extra time when fans at both ends of the ground threw flares and objects, narrowly missing some of the players as they ran from the field.

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Some Mannheim supporters made it on to the pitch before officers in riot gear and mounted police fanned out to push them back.

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German news agency dpa says the match resumed after a delay of just under 30 minutes. Ibrahim Kanate scored in the last minute of extra time, giving second-division Kaiserslautern a 1-0 win to advance to the second round of the German Cup.

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