Bayern beat Wolfsburg in Popp's farewell to win women's German Cup

Bayern Munich spoiled the farewell match of VfL Wolfsburg's icon Alexandra Popp on Thursday with a 4-0 victory to retain the women's German Cup.

Popp is leaving Wolfsburg after 14 years to join Borussia Dortmund but she couldn't clinch her 14th Cup title (12th with Wolfsburg) as Bayern were too strong in the second half.

The Bavarians, who have also claimed the Bundesliga title, broke the deadlock shortly before the break. They were awarded a penalty after Lineth Beerensteyn fouled Momoko Tanikawa and Georgia Stanway converted the spot-kick.

Bayern almost took a 2-0 lead into half-time, but Pernille Harder's effort was cleared by Sarai Linder on the line.

Harder, however, got her goal in the 59th. She beat Janina Minge to the far post to head Magdalena Eriksson's cross into the net.

Tanikawa practically put the game to bed in the 77th and Arianna Caruso completed the victory in the 84th.

"We deserved to win today. We were very dominant in the second half, and we certainly deserved it based on our performance throughout the season," Bayern midfielder Linda Dallmann told broadcaster ZDF.

"I'm proud of the team, everyone brought their best today," she added.

Popp was in the starting line-up and played the entire match, after which she was in tears.

With her departure, Wolfsburg are losing the face of the team. Her genuine nature and charisma have lent profile and lustre to a Wolfsburg side that has at times seemed lacklustre.

Team-mate Sophia Klein said: "It's hard to find the right words. But we can be proud. Of course it hurts, we would have liked to have taken something but I'm still proud."