Harry Kane and Luis Diaz scored after the break as Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig 2-0 to reach the German Cup semifinals for the first time in six years.
Bayern Munich reached the German Cup semifinals for the first time in six years with a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane and Luis Diaz struck within three second half minutes to decide a tight quarter final. The result keeps Bayern on course for domestic silverware under Vincent Kompany. A crowd of 75,000 watched a contest that swung decisively after the hour mark.
Leipzig made the sharper start and thought they had taken an early lead. Christoph Baumgartner finished calmly inside four minutes after a swift move. The goal was ruled out after VAR spotted an offside in the buildup. Bayern responded with pressure but found chances hard to convert.
Kane went closest in the first half when his close-range effort was cleared off the line by Castello Lukeba. Maarten Vandevoordt then denied Aleksandar Pavlovic and Serge Gnabry with strong saves. Leipzig threatened on the break and forced Manuel Neuer into a sharp stop from David Raum. The teams went in level at half time at 0-0.
Bayern increased the tempo after the restart and pushed Leipzig deeper. Kane saw another header kept out before Diaz fired narrowly over. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 64th minute. Vandevoordt clipped Josip Stanisic inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Kane stepped up and converted confidently to make it 1-0. The England captain sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his sixth goal in this season’s competition. Bayern struck again three minutes later to seize control. Michael Olise slipped a precise pass through the defence and Diaz finished decisively past Vandevoordt.
Leipzig struggled to respond after the quick double blow. Bayern managed the closing stages with authority and limited clear chances. Olise nearly added a third late on but failed to hit the target. The final whistle confirmed Bayern’s return to the last four after a long absence.
Bayern produced 3.1 expected goals from 12 shots, underlining their second half dominance. Leipzig managed just 0.55 expected goals from seven attempts. Kane attempted five shots and hit the target four times. Olise created three chances, more than any other Bayern player.
Kane’s persistence defined the contest after several missed chances. Diaz added pace and precision once space opened up. Olise’s creativity proved decisive in the second goal. Neuer’s first half saves ensured Bayern stayed level before their surge.
Bayern now await the semifinal draw as they chase a first German Cup title since 2020. Defending champions Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg have also progressed. Attention quickly turns back to the Bundesliga this weekend. Kompany’s side face Werder Bremen as they continue to lead the title race. Fourth-placed RB Leipzig return to league action this weekend when they host Wolfsburg.
