Robert Lewandowski hits brace as Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig in DFB Cup final to seal the double
Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig 3-0 in the DFB Cup final on Saturday to win the competition for the first time since 2016, sealing a domestic double following their Bundesliga title triumph last week.
RB Leipzig 0-3 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 (Lewandowski 29'), 0-2 (Coman 78'), 0-3 (Lewandowski 85')
It did not look like such an outcome was on the cards initially, as Leipzig were the better team from the outset and their high pressing caused Bayern serious problems in their efforts to build from the back. Yussuf Poulsen had the first chance of the game when he met Marcel Halstenberg's corner from the left, but Manuel Neuer somehow made a point-blank save, with the help of the crossbar, to keep the ball out. Poulsen and Timo Werner were subsequently denied clear opportunities by last-ditch tackles from Joshua Kimmich, before Bayern broke the deadlock against the run of play when Lewandowski wrong-footed Peter Gulacsi with a superb header from David Alaba's cross. Niko Kovac's side finished the half strongly and by the time the whistle blew for the interval, Leipzig were somewhat fortunate to only be a goal down.
Die Roten Bullen very nearly made amends early in the second half when Emil Forsberg was sent clean through on goal by Ibrahima Konate, but the Swedish attacker could not get the better of Neuer when one-on-one. The next big chance also fell Leipzig's way when an untimely slip from Alaba allowed Werner to shoot from 10 yards out, but Niklas Süle was able to clear off the line. They proved to be costly misses for Ralf Rangnick's men, as Bayern were far more clinical with their next sight of goal. There appeared to be little danger when Kimmich's deflected pass looped high into the Leipzig penalty area, but a sublime piece of skill from Kingsley Coman took him past Lucas Klostermann before he rifled the ball high into the net. With Leipzig committing men forward in search of a late goal, Lewandowski delivered the knockout blow when he muscled Dayot Upamecano off a long ball forward before delicately dinking a finish over Gulacsi to seal Bayern's 19th DFB Cup triumph.
Match stats
- Lewandowski finished as the competition's top scorer on seven goals, one ahead of Hamburg’s Pierre-Michael Lasogga.
- In doing so, he became the first player in history to finish as top scorer in three consecutive seasons.
- The Polish striker is now the all-time top scorer in DFB Cup finals with six, surpassing Gerd Müller on five.
- Leipzig played in their very first DFB Cup final.
- Kovac has won 17 of his 18 cup matches as a coach. He lifted the trophy last season with Frankfurt against Bayern, only losing the 2017 final against Dortmund.
- He became the first coach since Felix Magath in 2005 and 2006 to win back-to-back DFB Cups. He is also the first man ever to win a league and cup double as both a player and coach in German football.
Line-ups
Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Konate (Haidara 81'), Orban (c) (Upamecano 70'), Halstenberg – Sabitzer, Adams (Laimer 65'), Kampl, Forsberg – Poulsen, Werner
Unused subs: Mvogo, Mukiele, Demme, Matheus Cunha
Out: -
Coach: Ralf Rangnick
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Alaba – Thiago, Martinez (Tolisso 65') – Gnabry (Robben 73'), Müller, Coman (Ribery 87') – Lewandowski
Unused subs: Ulreich, Rafinha, Boateng, Sanches
Out: Früchtl (elbow), Goretzka (muscular problem), James (calf)
Coach: Niko Kovac
Watch: Bayern's double celebrations!
AS IT HAPPENED
FULL TIME!
That's it! Bayern Munich have won their 19th DFB Cup thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman. RB Leipzig were worthy finalists but could not resist the Bavarians' attacking talent.
90' +3 LOOKING FOR LEGENDS
The Bayern players are clearly looking to play Robben or Ribery in for one last goal for the club.
87' ONE LAST ROBBERY
For their final change, Bayern have brought on Franck Ribery for one last runout in the famous red shirt. Coman is the man to make way.
85’ IT'S THREE!
Lewandowski has his second on the night and the result is all but certain. Kampl loses the ball far up the field and it's cleared perfectly into the path of the Bayern striker. Upamecano does his best to put him off his run but loses out in the challenge. Lewandowski keeps his cool and lifts the ball over Gulasci.
81' KONATE MAKES WAY
Leipzig have made their last change with Ibrahima Konate leaving the field, replaced by Amadou Haidara.
78’ WHAT A GOAL!
Bayern get their second. A crossfield ball from Kimmich is deflected by Konate, but only as far as Kingsley Coman. The young Frenchman takes one touch to control it and then switches the ball to his left foot before powering it into the back of the net.
73' ROBBEN ENTERS THE FRAY
Nico Kovac has turned to Arjen Robben with his second change. Serge Gnabry makes way for the veteran attacker making his final appearance in a Bayern shirt.
70’ SECOND CHANGE FOR LEIPZIG
Dalot Upamecano comes on for captain Willi Orban.
68' JUST HIGH AND WIDE!
Lewandowski nearly has his second and he rises highest in the box to meet a cross from the right. He gets his head to it, but it sails just over and wide of the goal frame.
65’ FIRST SUBSTITUTIONS
Both coaches are making changes. For Leipzig, Tyler Adams makes way for Konrad Laimer. And Corentin Tolisso comes on to replace Javi Martinez for Bayern.
62’ BIG CHANCE MISSED!
Leipzig have looked strong in attack, but Bayern have threatened twice in quick succession. First, a shot from distance by Hummels drew a strong save from Gulasci, and now Thiago will be asking questions of himself after putting a header wide of the mark when the goal was wide open.
55’ BAYERN CHANCE
Lewandowski nearly makes it two! A long ball from the back releases the Poland striker and he turns inside from the left to set himself for the shot. Gulasci is alert, however, and gathers well at his near post.
48’ NEARLY THE EQUALISER!
Emil Forsberg nearly has Leipzig on level terms. The Swedish forward was released by a clever pass from Konate and raced forward towards Neuer’s goal. The Germany keeper has been out injured, but you wouldn’t know it, as his reflexes are sharp as ever and he did brilliantly to turn the ball past the upright.
46’ HERE WE GO AGAIN!
The second half is underway in Berlin! Bayern will be looking to hold onto and extend their lead, whereas Leipzig will be trying to recapture the same energy they started the match with and strike back. No matter what happens, the next 45 minutes promise to be very exciting!
HALF TIME
The whistle blows and the first half is at an end. Though they made a bright start to the match, Leipzig will probably be happy to return to the dressing room. In the final stages of the half, Bayern were relentless and could have scored twice. Just a single goal separates the sides at the break, but there is a feeling in the air that more are to come.
45’ TWO MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
The referee’s assistant has indicated that two minutes will be played before half time.
42’ SAVED OFF THE LINE!
Konate is the hero for Leipzig! Mats Hummels evaded the pressure from two Leipzig attackers and strode into midfield. His long pass split the defence and found Coman in behind but onside. The speedy forward raced past Gulasci and fired on goal. The young French defender’s head was the only thing preventing a devastating second goal.
40’ BAYERN IN CONTROL
That opening goal seems to have given Bayern a little bit of extra confidence. They’re putting passes together well and are looking dangerous with every move. When they do lose the ball, however, Leipzig are still very much a threat.
29' BAYERN BREAK THE DEADLOCK
Lewandowski is now the competition's joint top scorer for 2018/2019! Bayern string together some lovely passing that ends with the ball at Alaba's feet out wide on the left. His cross is perfectly delivered onto the striker's forehead and lands in the back of the net. Game on!
24' END-TO-END STUFF
The match is being played at a frantic pace and we have seen chances at both ends. Leipzig are continuously a threat on the counter attack and are looking to break at speed any chance they get.
17' NEARLY THROUGH ON GOAL!
It's Poulsen again! The Leipzig man makes a nice run through the centre and is nearly one-on-one with Neuer, only for Kimmich to come to the rescue and clear the danger.
11' GOALMOUTH SCRAMBLE!
Leipzig are asking some serious questions of Bayern and have the game's best chance so far. Poulsen directs a header on target from a corner, but Neuer is there to get a hand on it and direct it onto the bar.
WHO WILL BE THIS YEAR’S TOP SCORER?
Not only will we soon have a new champion, but this is the last chance for someone to claim the title of top scorer in this year’s DFB Cup. Currently, no Leipzig or Bayern player leads the standings. That honour currently belongs to Hamburg’s Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who has six. Robert Lewandowski has five, and Leipzig’s top scorer is Timo Werner, with three. Will that change by full-time?
3' FIRST ATTEMPT!
Serge Gnabry has the game's first shot, but it goes just wide of Gulasci's goal.
KICK-OFF!
Leipzig get the ball rolling and we are underway!
TYLER ADAMS: LEIPZIG'S GOOD LUCK CHARM?
Ralf Rangnick has put his faith in 20-year-old American Tyler Adams. The midfielder, who returned to the side on the final day of the Bundesliga season after an injury-enforced absence, starts the match at the heart of the Red Bulls' line-up. This could be a good omen: Aside from the dead rubber against Werder Bremen on Matchday 34, Leipzig are unbeaten with him in the side!
TWENTY MINUTES TO GO
RB Leipzig have named arguably their strongest line-up and will be hard to break down. Manuel Neuer returns in goal for Bayern, and Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are on the bench. The two could make their final appearances in Bayern colours tonight. Can they repeat the trick of grabbing a goal apiece as they did in the final match of the Bundesliga season?
FANS MAKING THEIR WAY IN
The Olympiastadion in Berlin is open for business and fans of both teams are beginning to file in and find their seats. The Cup is already on the pitch, waiting to greet them. Hertha Berlin’s 74000-seat home ground is Germany’s largest stadium and has hosted the DFB Cup final every year since 1985.
TWO OUT OF THREE FOR KOVAC?
Today marks Nico Kovac’s third DFB Cup final appearance in a row. In 2017, Kovac was in the dugout for Eintracht Frankfurt when they lost 2-1 to Thomas Tuchel’s Borussia Dortmund. Last year, Kovac avenged that defeat by guiding Frankfurt to a 3-1 triumph over Bayern Munich. Will today see him win a second final in a row in dramatic fashion against his former club?
FIRST TIMERS vs. ALL TIMERS
This is RB Leipzig’s first appearance in the DFB Cup final. Last season, they made only made it as far as the second round before being knocked out by Bayern 5:6 on penalties. The Bavarians’ run last season saw them go all the way to the Final. While they lost the match 3-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt, the 2018 showpiece was Bayern’s 22nd DFB Cup final appearance, of which they’ve won 18, more than any other team.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: ADVANTAGE BAYERN
This will be just the eighth meeting between these teams. Bayern won the first four games - including a 5-4 penalty shootout victory in the DFB Cup second round in 2017/18 - before Leipzig recorded their first and only triumph over the Reds on 18 March 2018, goals from Naby Keita and Timo Werner giving them a 2-1 win.
This season, Bayern took all three points on home turf, but the teams drew 0-0 when they met on Matchday 33 just a couple of weeks ago.
HUMMELS: "LEIPZIG ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TACTICAL APPROACH"
Bayern defender Mats Hummels, who is expected to start at centre-back alongside Niklas Süle today, has given his thoughts on the game, telling FCBTV: "The desire and motivation to win the cup for a second time personally – and first since joining Bayern – are huge. The mood in the team is obviously very good, especially in light of the recent weeks and months and because we won the Bundesliga title.
"We've been very committed and focused in our training all week. Leipzig always have a good tactical approach, be it their closing down all over the pitch or the slightly more measured but very compact style they have now. They also have a lot of individual quality."
WELCOME!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today's DFB Cup final! We'll be bringing you all the latest, build-up, team news and match coverage, so stay right where you are!
Related news
Club-by-club historical guide: Nuremberg
Founding Bundesliga member Nuremberg won the title in 1967/68, but the first of an unwanted record nine relegations followed a year later...
Club-by-club historical guide: Bochum
A throwback stadium and iconic kits - it can only be Ruhr district club Bochum...
Club-by-club historical guide: Hertha Berlin
Hertha have been the biggest force from the German capital in the Bundesliga's history, welcoming teams for 40 seasons to their iconic Olympiastadion home.