Harry Kane’s Last-Gasp Header Secures Narrow Win for Bayern Munich in German Cup Thriller
In a dramatic first-round clash of the DFB-Pokal, Bayern Munich narrowly escaped an upset against third-division side Wehen Wiesbaden, clinching a 3-2 victory thanks to a stoppage-time header from Harry Kane. The Bundesliga giants faced unexpected resistance but ultimately advanced after a pulsating encounter on Wednesday.
Bayern’s Early Control and Kane’s Penalty Precision
Bayern Munich appeared to be in command early on when Harry Kane calmly converted a penalty in the 16th minute, marking his 31st consecutive successful spot-kick across club and international duties. The English striker’s composed finish followed a foul on Sacha Boey inside the box, setting the tone for what seemed like a straightforward win.
It wasn’t until the 51st minute that Bayern doubled their advantage. Michael Olise capitalized on a defensive lapse by Wiesbaden, expertly slotting the ball into the bottom corner to extend the lead and seemingly put the match out of reach for the underdogs.
Wiesbaden’s Resilience Sparks a Stunning Comeback
However, Wehen Wiesbaden, buoyed by their home crowd, refused to fold. Their captain, Fatih Kaya, ignited a comeback with a spectacular sliding volley in the 64th minute, expertly timed to meet a curling cross from summer signing Niklas May. This goal injected new life into the hosts and shifted momentum dramatically.
Just five minutes later, Wiesbaden stunned Bayern by equalizing. A long ball was flicked on by Moritz Flotho, allowing Kaya to break free and finish clinically on a swift counterattack, sending the stadium into a frenzy and putting Bayern under intense pressure.
Kane’s Missed Penalty and Redemption
Despite being fouled in the box again, Kane’s second penalty attempt in the 76th minute was thwarted by an outstanding save from Wiesbaden goalkeeper Florian Stritzel. This marked Kane’s first missed penalty since the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France, where he famously shot over the bar.
Stritzel’s heroics continued as he also denied Kane’s immediate follow-up shot, keeping the hosts’ hopes alive. Yet, Kane ultimately redeemed himself in the dying moments, soaring above defenders to head in a precise cross from Josip Stanisic during the fourth minute of added time, sealing Bayern’s progression and crushing Wiesbaden’s dreams.
Context and Bayern’s Cup Struggles
Despite their dominance in German football, Bayern Munich have struggled to advance beyond the quarter-finals in recent DFB-Pokal campaigns, with their last triumph dating back to the 2019-20 season when they secured a record 20th title. This narrow escape against a lower-tier opponent highlights the unpredictability and intensity of cup football.
The draw for the second round is scheduled for Sunday, where Bayern will look to avoid further scares as they aim to reclaim the coveted trophy.
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