Bayern Munich Advances to DFB Pokal Semi-finals with Victory Over RB Leipzig

omidbasir- In their third encounter of the 2025/26 season, RB Leipzig faced FC Bayern Munich yet again, only to be eliminated from the DFB Pokal by the formidable German side. After enduring two significant defeats in the Bundesliga, the Leipzig team, managed by Ole Werner, found little solace in a less severe scoreline compared to their earlier losses of 0-6 and 1-5.

Bayern Munich, under Vincent Kompany’s leadership, has advanced to the DFB Pokal semi-finals for the first time since 2020, the same year they last claimed the trophy. The team appears to be on a trajectory to regain their dominance in German football, with many expecting them to secure multiple significant titles for the first time since Hansi Flick’s era, which culminated in their last Pokal victory.

The match began with a glimmer of hope for Leipzig as Austrian attacker Christoph Baumgartner seemed to score in the 4th minute, only for his goal to be disallowed due to a marginal offside. Leipzig felt aggrieved again in the 29th minute when a potential free-kick was overlooked by match official Daniel Siebert after Josip Stanisic fouled Antonio Nusa just outside the penalty area, a decision that could not be reviewed by VAR.

The opening 45 minutes were characterized by caution from both sides. Bayern, though exhibiting some sloppiness in their defensive play, still managed to create scoring opportunities, with Harry Kane narrowly missing on several occasions (11th, 18th, 45+6). Aleksandar Pavlovic from Bayern and Leipzig captain David Raum each tested the goalkeepers, but the first half ended without any goals as Leipzig’s defense held firm.

Unfortunately for Leipzig’s promising goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoort, his strong performance took a downturn in the 62nd minute when he collided with an onrushing Stanisic in the box, resulting in a penalty after Vandevoort unintentionally slipped into the Bayern player. Harry Kane converted the penalty in the 64th minute. Moments earlier, Leipzig had struck the crossbar, but their striker Romulu was offside, rendering the effort moot.

Bayern’s Colombian winger continued his fine form, quickly putting the match out of reach. Just two minutes after Kane’s penalty, he nearly assisted a second goal, which was ultimately scored by Luis Diaz in the 67th minute after Michael Olise set him up. Following this pivotal moment, Bayern controlled the game, with Leipzig appearing deflated and less aggressive in their challenges.

The final score reflected Bayern’s dominance, as they executed intricate plays while Leipzig struggled to regain their footing. The match ended without further goals, but Bayern’s comfort in the lead was evident.

Individual performances were noteworthy, with both Harry Kane and Luis Diaz receiving high marks of 8. However, Michael Olise stood out for his impactful play, earning him the Man of the Match title. The Frenchman was instrumental in the attack, contributing three shots and assisting on another goal, registering 81 touches throughout the match, showcasing his significant influence on the game.