Ukrainian Forward Achieves Historic Debut with First Career Goal in German Cup
Artem Stepanov, a promising Ukrainian striker, scored his very first professional goal during the first round of the German Football Cup, showcasing his rising talent on the national stage.
His club, Nuremberg, faced Illertissen and managed to advance after a dramatic penalty shootout that ended 6:5 in favor of Nuremberg, following a 3:3 draw in regulation time.
Stepanov, only 18 years old, entered the match as a substitute in the second half.
In the 78th minute, he scored with a header after an accurate cross from the flank, equalizing the score at 2:2 — a historic milestone for the young player.
This goal marked his debut scoring in professional football, adding to his growing reputation.
The forward is currently on loan at Nuremberg from Bayer Leverkusen, where he developed through the youth academies of Volyn and Shakhtar Donetsk.
His move to Germany came amid the upheaval caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Last November, Stepanov already made his debut for Bayer’s first team in the Champions League, becoming the youngest Ukrainian in the history of the prestigious tournament.
Under the guidance of legendary coach Miroslav Klose, former German national team striker, Stepanov is gaining valuable experience that hints at a bright future.
This season could prove to be pivotal for the young Ukrainian, as his goals and performance are increasingly attracting attention in both Ukrainian and German football circles.