Key Takeaways:
- Bayern Munich eliminated Köln from the German Cup with a 4:1 away victory in the second round
- Harry Kane scored twice, including a standout goal, with contributions from Luis Diaz and Michael Olise
- Darmstadt defeated Schalke 4:0 and Freiburg overcame Fortuna Düsseldorf 3:1 in other second-round matches
Match Analysis: Bayern Establish Control after Early Scare
Bayern Munich underlined their dominance in the German Cup by dispatching Köln 4:1 away from home in the competition’s second round. The hosts stunned the Bavarians early on, taking the lead in the 31st minute when Isak Johannesson’s pinpoint cross allowed Ragnar Ache to rise above Dayot Upamecano and make it 1:0. Up to that point, both teams had traded dangerous opportunities; Luis Diaz’s miscontrol in the penalty area saw Ron-Robert Zieler gather the ball, while Isak Johannesson forced Jonas Urbich into a sharp save.
Let’s continue making history! ❤️🤍
𝟭𝟰/𝟭𝟰 – 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥! pic.twitter.com/vLSNnlcnrD
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 29, 2025
Despite conceding, Bayern responded immediately by stepping up the intensity and overturning Köln’s advantage within minutes. Zieler denied Joshua Kimmich, but the equaliser arrived soon after, as Luis Diaz found the back of the net. Just two minutes on, Harry Kane produced a moment of individual brilliance, shaking off his marker with a deft turn before finishing confidently to make it 2:1 for the visitors before the break.
Player Impact and Key Moments
Bayern’s attacking prowess proved decisive in the second half. Harry Kane capitalised on another opportunity in the 64th minute, heading home from close range to extend the lead to 3:1. The contest was put beyond doubt eight minutes later, when Michael Olise capped off a brisk counterattack orchestrated by Luis Diaz, sealing the 4:1 victory for Vincent Kompany’s side.
