The Harry Kane Final? Bayern Munich and England striker seals more silverware with incredible DFB Cup final hat-trick
Saturday's DFB Cup final between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart was a close-run affair until a certain Harry Kane got into gear and reminded the world of his greatness before the striker links up with England for this summer's FIFA World Cup.
While the English FA announced the squad captained by Kane for the World Cup to the sound of Come Together by the Beatles, another tune by the Fab Four could be a better fit for the striker's performance in the DFB Cup Final, namely Here, There and Everywhere.
In true Kane style, despite smashing three goals, perhaps the most iconic part of his performance came at the other end of the field when he flew into an impeccable sliding block to stop Tiago Tomás turning in a cross to the left of the Bayern penalty area in the 86th minute with his side 2-0 up.
Watch: All Kane's Bundesliga hat-tricks
It looked far from certain that Kane would make a decisive impact in the final. In the first half, he cut an isolated figure up front, constantly having to battle Jeff Chabot and other VfB Stuttgart players who repeatedly prevented him from getting shots away. Both teams gave their all, and there was precious little between the sides as they went into the break goalless.
The 32-year-old was then at his ruthless best in the second period as it all began to all, well, come together. "Harry won us the final," said Leon Goretzka after the final whistle. "We needed patience, and we knew they would tire," said Kane, who headed the opener with his first chance in the 55th minute.
In what remained a tight game, he initiated his second goal himself with a superb long-range shot. The crossbar came to Alexander Nübel's rescue, but shortly afterwards, he was powerless when Kane expertly twisted around Chema Andrés and slotted in to make it 2-0.
"You simply can't leave Harry Kane alone. He scores at will," said disappointed Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav. Kane indeed showed that for a third time by slotting home a late penalty to seal his hat-trick and Bayern's 21st DFB Cup. "That was a top performance from him. There aren't many like him, he's special," said Vincent Kompany.
Kane himself hailed the first cup win of his career as special, saying: "Scoring a hat-trick in a final is something I'm extremely proud of." While he hopes to keep his well-deserved matchball in a special place, he admitted his son had already asked him about it and joked, "He will probably end up kicking it around the house."
