MUNICH, GERMANY — Harry Kane's clinical penalty and Luis Díaz's composed finish propelled Bayern Munich into the German Cup final with a 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena. The hosts controlled proceedings throughout but needed patience and a slice of fortune to break down Marco Rose's resilient visitors in a fiery semifinal encounter that saw seven yellow cards brandished.
The opening exchanges belonged entirely to Bayern, with Kane testing Maarten Vandevoordt as early as the 12th minute. The England captain's left-footed effort from the centre of the box forced a comfortable save from the Belgian goalkeeper, setting the tone for what would become a busy evening between the posts. Vandevoordt's heroics continued into first-half stoppage time when he produced a stunning save to deny Kane's header from six yards, palming away Michael Olise's dangerous cross that the striker had met perfectly.
Bayern's dominance was reflected in the statistics, controlling 59.2% of possession and pinning Leipzig back for long stretches. Yet Rose's side showed their threat on the counter, with Rômulo striking the crossbar in the 62nd minute after meeting David Raum's inviting cross. That moment of Leipzig promise proved costly, as within seconds Josip Stanisic burst into the penalty area only to be brought down by Vandevoordt. Referee Tobias Stieler pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Kane made no mistake, drilling his right-footed penalty low into the bottom right corner to finally breach Leipzig's resistance.
The breakthrough opened the floodgates. Just three minutes later, Olise's vision unlocked the Leipzig defence with a perfectly weighted through ball that released Díaz into space. The Colombian forward showed composure beyond his years, taking one touch to steady himself before slotting a left-footed finish past the helpless Vandevoordt to double Bayern's advantage. The Allianz Arena erupted as the hosts seized control of the tie with clinical efficiency.
Leipzig's frustration boiled over as the match wore on, with the referee's notebook working overtime. Nicolas Seiwald, Christoph Baumgartner, Maarten Vandevoordt, and Rômulo all saw yellow for the visitors, while Josip Stanisic, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Konrad Laimer were cautioned for Bayern. The feisty nature of the encounter reflected the stakes, with both sides desperate to reach the showpiece final.
Vandevoordt's evening had begun with promise, denying Serge Gnabry's right-footed effort in the 58th minute with another impressive stop that tipped the ball over the crossbar. The 22-year-old goalkeeper made four saves in total, showcasing why Leipzig have faith in his abilities despite his relative inexperience. Yet even his heroics couldn't prevent Bayern's quality from eventually telling.
The statistics painted a picture of Bayern dominance that the scoreline perhaps understated. Vincent Kompany's side registered 12 shots to Leipzig's seven, with their superior accuracy evident in the seven efforts on target compared to Leipzig's solitary attempt. The hosts also committed fewer fouls despite their territorial advantage, conceding 14 free kicks to their own 11, demonstrating their control without resorting to cynical tactics.
Joshua Kimmich orchestrated proceedings from midfield, winning a crucial free kick in the defensive half during stoppage time as Leipzig pressed desperately for a lifeline. Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae formed an impenetrable barrier at the heart of Bayern's defence, with Manuel Neuer barely troubled in the Bayern goal, making just one save all evening.
Rose introduced a flurry of substitutes in the closing stages, bringing on Brajan Gruda, Conrad Harder, Ezechiel Banzuzi, and Tidiam Gomis in a desperate attempt to salvage the tie. But Bayern's defensive discipline held firm, with Alphonso Davies and Stanisic providing width and security down the flanks. Kompany responded with his own changes, introducing Jamal Musiala, Konrad Laimer, and Leon Goretzka to see out the victory with fresh legs.
The final whistle confirmed Bayern's progression to the German Cup final, extending their impressive recent form that has seen them win four of their last five matches. For Leipzig, the defeat compounds a difficult period that has seen them struggle for consistency, winning just two of their last five encounters.
The victory sets up Bayern nicely for their next challenge, with confidence flowing through the squad as they chase silverware on multiple fronts. Leipzig must dust themselves off quickly, with a trip to face VfL Wolfsburg on February 14 offering an immediate opportunity for redemption in their pursuit of Bundesliga points.