MUNICH, GERMANY — Luis Díaz announced his arrival in spectacular fashion with a hat-trick as Bayern Munich dismantled TSG Hoffenheim 5-1 at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane's clinical double from the penalty spot set the tone, but it was the Colombian's ruthless finishing that captured the headlines in a performance that emphatically underscored Bayern's dominance atop the Bundesliga table.
The onslaught began in the 20th minute when Kane stepped up with trademark composure, sending Oliver Baumann the wrong way after Alphonso Davies was fouled in the box. The England captain's penalty-taking precision has become a hallmark of Bayern's attacking prowess this season, and he would be called upon again before the interval. Hoffenheim briefly threatened an equalizer when Andrej Kramaric forced Manuel Neuer into a sharp save in the 33rd minute, the Croatian striker latching onto Fisnik Asllani's clever through ball only to see his effort smothered by Bayern's veteran goalkeeper.
Any hopes of a Hoffenheim comeback evaporated on the stroke of halftime. Kane dispatched his second penalty in the 45th minute, again beating Baumann low to his left, before Díaz announced himself with a clinical goal two minutes into stoppage time. The Colombian pounced on a lightning counter-attack, with Kane turning provider to set up Díaz for a precise finish into the bottom right corner. The 2-0 halftime lead barely captured Bayern's territorial dominance, as the hosts had already registered 14 shots to Hoffenheim's meager four.
While Kramaric offered a glimmer of hope for the visitors in the 35th minute, tucking home from close range after Asllani's assist to make it 1-0, the goal was merely a footnote in Bayern's relentless assault. The second half continued in the same devastating vein, with Bayern launching wave after wave of attacks. Baumann stood heroic in goal, producing eight saves across the 90 minutes to prevent an even more humiliating scoreline. The Hoffenheim goalkeeper denied Kane from close range in the 51st minute, palming away a header that seemed destined for the top corner after Joshua Kimmich's pinpoint through ball.
Díaz's second goal arrived in the 62nd minute, a predatory finish from the right side of the six-yard box after Michael Olise's surgical delivery carved open the Hoffenheim defense. The assist showcased Olise's creative brilliance, the French winger consistently finding pockets of space down the right flank. Baumann continued his one-man resistance, saving brilliantly from Jamal Musiala's left-footed effort in the 83rd minute after Konrad Laimer's assist, but Bayern's attacking dam finally burst completely in the closing stages.
The Colombian completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute with perhaps the most sublime goal of the afternoon—a right-footed strike from outside the box that arrowed into the bottom right corner. Musiala's assist was the final flourish in a match that saw Bayern's attacking quartet of Kane, Díaz, Olise, and Serge Gnabry run riot. The statistics painted a picture of complete dominance: Bayern enjoyed 54.7% possession and launched 27 shots at goal compared to Hoffenheim's nine, with 14 of those efforts forcing Baumann into action.
The match descended into increasing fractiousness as Hoffenheim's frustration boiled over. Both sides collected two yellow cards apiece, but the visitors' afternoon spiraled further when they were reduced to nine men following a late red card. The numerical disadvantage only amplified Bayern's control, as Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joshua Kimmich orchestrated proceedings from midfield with metronomic precision.
Hoffenheim's defensive structure, which had served them well in climbing to fifth place, was systematically dismantled by Bayern's intelligent movement and incisive passing. Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah were rarely troubled at the back, with Neuer required to make just three saves all afternoon. The clean sheet was briefly threatened by Kramaric's early strike, but Bayern's response was emphatic and unforgiving.
The victory maintains Bayern's stranglehold on the Bundesliga title race, their 38 points from 14 matches representing a near-perfect campaign. With 12 wins, two draws, and zero defeats, Vincent Kompany's side are firing on all cylinders at precisely the right moment. Their goal difference of plus-40 is a testament to their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, a combination that has proven irresistible for opponents.
For Hoffenheim, the defeat is a harsh reality check after their encouraging start to the season. The 5th-placed visitors remain in contention for European qualification with 26 points, but this performance exposed the stark gulf between the chasing pack and Bayern's relentless machine. Alexander Prass and Vladimír Coufal toiled in defense but were ultimately overwhelmed by Bayern's exceptional quality and unrelenting intensity.
Hoffenheim will seek immediate redemption when they host SC Freiburg on February 14, a fixture that offers the chance to bounce back against fellow European hopefuls. Bayern, meanwhile, can bask in the glow of another commanding display as they continue their inexorable march toward yet another Bundesliga crown.