Dortmund reach Pokal quarters after penalty win vs. Hertha

Borussia Dortmund needed a penalty shootout to overcome Hertha Berlin on Wednesday to reach the DFB Pokal quarterfinals for the sixth-consecutive year.

Dortmund sealed a 3-2 victory on penalties when Hertha's Salomon Kalou sent his spot kick over the bar, after Fabian Lustenberger's first effort struck the crossbar and then Dortmund `keeper Roman Buerki saved Vladimir Darida's penalty.

Christian Pulisic missed for Dortmund but Ousmane Dembele, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gonzalo Castro all converted after the game finished 1-1 following extra time.

Kalou had put Hertha in front inside the first half hour of normal time with the visitors' third big chance, stretching to volley Niklas Stark's cross past the helpless Buerki.

Dortmund hit back after the break with Dembele hitting the post, then gathering the rebound and passing to the better-placed Pulisic, a half-time substitute, who in turn found Marco Reus to equalise.

Aubameyang thought he'd put Dortmund in front but the goal was ruled out as Hertha goalkeeper Rune Jarstein already had a hand to the ball.

Dembele came closest with less than 10 minutes remaining when he was just wide of the far post.

Tuchel brought on Andre Schurrle for extra time -- his fourth substitute allowed according to a new rule from the third round -- but the trend continued with Hertha defending well.

Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent off before the end of extra time with his second yellow card for persistent complaining about his first card, also given for complaining.

Dortmund is bidding to reach their third successive final.