Kane nets another as Bayern reach German Cup final

Bayern Munich turbo-charged their treble pursuit by reaching their first German Cup final since 2020 following a 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Top scorer Harry Kane was on target yet again, three days after Bayern retained the Bundesliga title and on the day their women's team also clinched the championship. Luis Díaz grabbed the second in stoppage-time.

The Werkself knocked out Bayern in the last 16 last term, but were always second best this time.

"It is a special day for the whole club and we are happy to be in the final," Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told broadcaster ZDF. "We have to focus on the games ahead."

Cup holders VfB Stuttgart host south-west rivals Freiburg in Thursday's second semi-final, with the final in Berlin on May 23.

Kick-off at the BayArena was delayed for five minutes because of smoke from flares set off by fans.

Bayern started their strongest team having rested some top names for Sunday's win at Stuttgart, which clinched a 13th Bundesliga title in 14 seasons.

Leverkusen were the side to split that streak in 2024 when they won an unbeaten league and cup double.

Roof of the net

Jamal Musiala, in Bayern's number 10 role following the season-ending injury to Serge Gnabry, showed he is almost fully fit after last year's leg break with a bright 84 minutes in his legs and an assist for the flowing opener.

The hosts allowed England captain Kane too much space to take two touches and fire into the roof of the net on 22 minutes.

Leverkusen improved after the break and Neuer made a superb save from Nathan Tella, but Bayern continued to push at the other end and Díaz scored after a video review overturned an offside flag.

Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich, whose side are outside the Champions League spots in the Bundesliga, said: "We are very disappointed as it was a big chance to get to Berlin again.

"Over the 90 minutes, their win was deserved."

Bayern have a Champions League semi-final first leg at holders Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday as they target a treble and possible sextuple like in 2020, when they beat Leverkusen in the Cup final.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said: "The hard thing about football is that you can never fully enjoy a win. You move on to another important game."