Bayern Munich, the reigning Bundesliga champions, narrowly escaped a humiliating first-round exit from the German Cup, edging past third-tier Wehen Wiesbaden 3-2 thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time header from their star striker, Harry Kane. The match, played at the Brita-Arena in Wiesbaden, unfolded as a tense and captivating encounter, with the underdogs putting up a spirited fight that nearly upset the established giants of German football. Kane’s late heroics ultimately saved Bayern from an embarrassing early cup exit, underscoring the unpredictable nature of knockout competitions.
The match began with Bayern asserting their dominance, taking an early lead through a penalty converted by Kane in the 16th minute. This marked Kane’s 31st consecutive successful spot-kick for club and country, showcasing his remarkable composure and precision from the penalty spot. Bayern further solidified their advantage early in the second half when Michael Olise capitalized on a defensive error by Wiesbaden, doubling the lead and seemingly setting the stage for a comfortable victory for the Bundesliga champions. Olise’s goal, a well-placed shot into the bottom corner, highlighted the attacking prowess of Bayern’s midfield and their ability to exploit defensive vulnerabilities.
However, Wiesbaden, playing in front of their passionate home crowd, refused to succumb to Bayern’s superior firepower. Captain Fatih Kaya ignited the home team’s comeback with a spectacular sliding volley in the 64th minute, connecting with a pinpoint cross from Niklas May to reduce the deficit. This goal injected renewed belief into Wiesbaden’s ranks and set the stage for a dramatic final stretch of the match. Kaya’s clinical finish showcased his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and provided a much-needed spark for the underdogs.
Just five minutes later, Wiesbaden stunned Bayern by leveling the score. A swift counterattack, initiated by a long ball forward, culminated in Kaya finding himself clean through on goal. He calmly slotted the ball past Sven Ulreich in the Bayern goal, sending the home crowd into raptures and leaving the Bundesliga champions reeling from the unexpected turn of events. Kaya’s brace, scored within a span of just five minutes, underscored his predatory instincts and his ability to seize upon defensive lapses.
Bayern’s woes continued when Kane stepped up for a second penalty in the 76th minute, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Wiesbaden goalkeeper Florian Stritzel. This marked Kane’s first missed penalty since his unsuccessful attempt for England against France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, highlighting the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the cup tie. Stritzel’s save, followed by another crucial intervention to deny Kane’s follow-up effort, further fueled the home side’s hopes of pulling off a monumental upset.
Despite the setback, Kane’s persistence ultimately paid off in the dying moments of the match. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, with the game seemingly headed for extra time, Kane rose highest to meet a Josip Stanisic cross and head the ball into the net, securing a dramatic victory for Bayern and breaking Wiesbaden’s hearts. Kane’s late winner, a testament to his resilience and determination, spared Bayern the ignominy of a first-round exit and preserved their hopes of progressing further in the competition.
The narrow escape serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of cup competitions, where lower-ranked teams can often raise their game against more illustrious opponents. For Bayern, the close call emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and intensity throughout the match, regardless of the opposition. While Kane’s late heroics secured the victory, the performance also exposed some vulnerabilities within the Bayern squad, providing valuable lessons as they continue their quest for silverware in the German Cup and other competitions. The draw for the second round, scheduled for Sunday, will reveal Bayern’s next opponent as they aim to progress beyond the quarter-finals, a stage they haven’t surpassed since winning their record-extending 20th German Cup title in the 2019-20 season.
