Sometimes, football just doesn't create any sense, and the recent DFB-Pokal clash between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin was a perfect example of that beautiful chaos. It was a wild, unpredictable night in the German capital that finished 3-2 in Bayern's favor, but the scoreline barely scratches the surface. We saw two own goals, two penalties, and a nail-biting finish that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Bayern Munich secured a chaotic 3-2 victory over Union Berlin to advance in the DFB-Pokal.
- ✓ Harry Kane was the only Bayern player to score, netting his 25th goal of the season, but also conceded a penalty.
- ✓ Union Berlin was plagued by misfortune, scoring two own goals in the first half from Bayern set-pieces.
- ✓ Leopold Querfeld scored twice from the penalty spot for Union, keeping the game incredibly tight until the very end.
- ✓ The win marks only the second time in six seasons that Bayern has reached the German Cup quarter-finals.
A First Half of Pure Mayhem
Coming into this elimination game, there was a lot of talk about redemption. These two sides had just fought to a 2-2 draw less than a month ago at the very same venue, and Bayern was expected to come out with a point to prove. Well, they certainly made a statement, but perhaps not in the way anyone anticipated. The match kicked off with Bayern dominating possession, clearly hungry to get on the board early.
The deadlock was broken after just 12 minutes, but it was a moment Union forward Ilyas Ansah will want to forget. A corner from Joshua Kimmich came swinging into the box, and in a bizarre turn of events, the ball bounced off Ansah's thigh and right into his own net. You could feel the collective groan from the home crowd. It was a gut-punch for Union, who were hoping for another surprise result.
Just 12 minutes later, Kimmich’s set-piece delivery proved deadly again. This time, his inch-perfect corner found the man you’d expect: Harry Kane. The England captain leaped high, getting the better of his marker to guide a glancing header home and double Bayern’s lead. It was a clinical finish and his 25th goal of what has been a stellar season. At this point, it looked like Bayern was cruising.
The Chaos Continues
But this is the cup, and things are never that simple. As halftime approached, Union got a lifeline. Recent reports indicate that A lengthy VAR check found Jonathan Tah guilty of a handball inside the box while trying to block a shot. The referee pointed to the spot, and up stepped Leopold Querfeld, who coolly converted the penalty to cut the deficit. Game on, right.
Well, not so fast. Just before the break, disaster struck for Union again. A free-kick from Michael Olise was whipped in, and before any Bayern player could get a touch, Union's own Diogo Leite flicked it into his own net. It was the second own goal of the half, restoring Bayern’s two-goal cushion and sending them into the break with a bizarre 3-1 lead.
Union's Spirited Second-Half Fightback
If you thought the drama was over, you were mistaken. Just five minutes into the second half, the script flipped again. Industry experts suggest that Harry Kane, the hero of the first half, turned momentary villain when he committed a foul inside the Bayern box with a stray elbow. The referee didn't hesitate, pointing to the spot for the second time and showing Kane a yellow card for his trouble.
Once again, Leopold Querfeld stepped up and once again, he found the back of the net. One key aspect to consider is Suddenly, it was 3-2, and the home crowd roared back to life. That early goal galvanized the hosts, giving them the motivation they desperately needed. For much of the second half, Union Berlin looked like a completely different team, pinning their star-studded opponents back and pressing with quick counter-attacks.
The momentum had completely shifted. Union Berlin looked far more lively and confident, and they came agonizingly close to leveling the score. Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out, and late in the game, Querfeld had a golden opportunity to complete a truly unbelievable hat-trick. A header from close range seemed destined for the net, but it sailed agonizingly off target. In the end, Bayern did just enough to hold on, but it was a nervy finish.
The Bigger Picture: Stakes and Standouts
This win was more than just another victory for Bayern; it was a significant step in a competition that has recently been a source of frustration for them. Despite winning the DFB-Pokal a record 20 times, this is only the second time in the last six seasons they've managed to reach the quarter-finals. It shows they are taking this cup run seriously, even if the performance was a bit erratic.
While Kane was named the MVP for his decisive goal, you have to feel for Union Berlin's Ansah and Leite. Their own goals in the first half proved to be the difference-maker. It's important to highlight Seeing how well the team bounced back in the second 45, those two moments of misfortune will surely haunt them. It was a heartbreaking way to be eliminated from the cup after such a spirited fight.
Elsewhere in the German Cup
It was a busy week of cup action across Germany. Defending champions Stuttgart also booked their spot in the next round with a 2-0 win over a 10-man Bochum side. That match had its own share of drama, with Bochum's Philipp Strompf having a nightmare first half, scoring an own goal and then getting a red card right before the break.
Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav continued his hot streak, netting a header to seal the win. Interestingly, he wasn't thrilled with how his team played. This brings us to He told Germany's ARD that he "wasn't satisfied" with the "ugly performance," but wisely added, "in the cup it only matters if you progress. " Truer words have never been spoken. Freiburg also advanced, along with Bayer Leverkusen, St Pauli, RB Leipzig, and Hertha Berlin, who all won their matches on Tuesday to reach the last eight.
Conclusion
What a night of football. Bayern Munich is through to the quarter-finals, but it was far from straightforward. This 3-2 victory was a testament to their firepower but also exposed some vulnerabilities that Union Berlin almost exploited. For Union, it was a classic case of what could have been, with two devastating own goals ultimately sealing their fate despite a heroic second-half effort. It was chaotic, dramatic, and a perfect reminder of why we all love the magic of a cup tie.
