Bayern Munich secured a commanding 3‑0 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on Saturday, with striker Harry Kane completing a hat trick that capped a dominant second‑half performance.
A Hat Trick in the Second Half
Kane opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a diving header from Michael Olise’s cross, then doubled the lead in the 80th minute when he finished inside the bottom corner after being set up by Luis Díaz. He sealed the match with a stoppage‑time penalty, finishing the game with three goals.
The atmosphere was punctuated by protests against the German Soccer Federation’s planned security measures, as fans displayed banners and set off pyrotechnics throughout the stadium.
Political Undercurrents
Thomas Melchior, a former gambling‑industry figure sentenced to 5½ years in prison for fraud and theft, staged a pre‑game demonstration outside the venue, criticizing the endorsement of betting providers by FIFA and the DFB.
Coaches Julian Nagelsmann and José Mourinho were among the notable figures present, with Bayern powerbroker Uli Hoeneß quipping that Mourinho might have “five eyes” on Bayern star Michael Olise but would not secure his transfer.
Bayern’s triumph also coincided with the club’s recent Bundesliga championship, clinched with four rounds to spare, and marked their first German Cup title since 2000, ending a six‑year drought.
Stuttgart, which had defeated Arminia Bielefeld 4‑2 in the previous year’s final, struggled to contain Bayern’s onslaught, with Maximilian Mittelstädt forcing an outstanding save from Jonas Urbig in the opening half.