With the help of Harry Kane’s hat-trick, Bayern Munich won the German Cup (DFB Pokal) for the 21st time by defeating defending champion VfB Stuttgart 3-0 on Saturday.
The England captain’s three goals completed a domestic double for the Bundesliga champions.
The win ended a six-year drought in the competition for the Bavarian giants and took Kane’s seasonal total to 61 goals in all competitions.
It also marked the Reds’ 14th league-and-cup double. No other German club has achieved the double more than once.
Kane is very happy after the third goal sealed the victory
“Going into this final I felt like it was my responsibility,” Kane told reporters. “Scoring a hat-trick in the final is a special feeling. These are memories I will cherish forever.”
Kane opened the account by scoring a goal in the 55th minute. Michael Olise sprinted down the right side and delivered a precise low cross, which Kane met with a diving header.
He then scored his second goal in the 80th minute, taking a pass from Luis Diaz, which he quickly turned and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
And after Angelo Stiller handled the ball in stoppage time, Kane stepped up and converted the penalty with aplomb to complete his treble.
The prolific striker managed to score in every round of the cup this season.
Fans condemn ticket prices, security restrictions
During the second half, both groups of fans protested against the German Football Federation (DFB), complaining about high ticket prices and strict rules on fan behaviour.
The pyrotechnics created thick smoke that twice caused brief interruptions to the game as fans violated a long-standing ban on such devices.
He also opposed proposed DFB and government plans for tighter surveillance at matches – including personalized ticketing and facial recognition technology – as well as stricter stadium restrictions across the country based on suspected rather than proven offences.
Bayern supporters displayed a giant crossed-out DFB logo emblazoned with expletives, while Stuttgart fans called for “freedom to the terraces”.
From the disappointment of the first half to the dominance of the second half
Stuttgart controlled control for most of the first half and threatened on the counter, with Maximilian Mittelstadt and Chris Furich looking particularly dangerous.
Jonas Urbig, replacing the injured Manuel Neuer, made a strong save to keep Mittelstadt in goal, while Alexander Nübel was forced to make a spectacular save at the end of the first half.
Bayern improved after the break. They made Stuttgart pay for failing to capitalize on first-half opportunities. Konrad Leimer wasted a clear chance shortly after the opener when he fired the rebound into an empty net.
The result underlined the dominance of Bayern, who have already beaten Stuttgart three times this season, including in the Super Cup, and a crucial Bundesliga match in April, which helped them clinch the title with four games remaining.
While Stuttgart came into the match as defending champions – having defeated Arminia Bielefeld. 4-2 In the 2025 final – they were unable to retain possession of the trophy in the face of successive second half surges from the Reds.
Bayern bask in cup glory
After the final whistle, Bayern’s players ran to their fans in the East Stand before celebrating under golden confetti as they lifted the trophy.
“The second half was much better. We were more effective,” Captain Joshua Kimmich told public broadcaster ARD.
Bayern has suffered several cup disappointments in recent years, including three second round exits. Fortunately, Kane’s arrival and excellent form helped end that sequence.
Bayern claimed a domestic double despite falling short in the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Edited by: Dmytro Lyubenko
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