Harry Kane double helps Bayern Munich avoid Osnabruck shock

Harry Kane scored twice as holders Bayern Munich recovered from an early scare to beat Osnabruck 4-1 and progress in the DFB-Pokal.

Bayern were behind after only five minutes when Robin Meissner struck a superb dipping effort from outside the penalty area. The goal raised hopes among the home supporters that Osnabruck could produce a major cup upset against the 21-time German Cup winners.

The visitors responded almost immediately. Kane followed up to score from the rebound and restore parity, before Tom Bischof completed Bayern’s turnaround six minutes later with another finish from close range.

Bayern then controlled the contest, although Kane said the opening stages had underlined the challenge posed by Osnabruck and the atmosphere at the stadium.

“It’s never easy at an away ground with a very good atmosphere,” Kane said.

“They started the game with an amazing goal, and we had to stay calm.

“I’m happy we got the win.”

Michael Olise added Bayern’s third goal in the 73rd minute, leaving Osnabruck with a difficult route back into the tie. Kane completed the scoring from the penalty spot four minutes before the end of normal time.

The England captain’s latest two-goal performance takes his total for Bayern to 148 goals in 150 appearances in all competitions. Kane joined the German champions from Tottenham in 2023 and has continued to produce at a remarkable rate.

Bayern have now avoided a first-round exit in the DFB-Pokal for the 32nd consecutive year. Their last elimination at this stage came in 1994, and they again survived a potentially difficult evening despite Osnabruck’s impressive start.

The result keeps the holders’ defence of the competition on track, while Osnabruck’s early advantage ultimately proved insufficient against a Bayern side that quickly regained control.

Elsewhere in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund recorded a comfortable 5-0 victory over HEBC, a fifth-division amateur team from Hamburg.

Bayern’s focus now switches back to the Bundesliga. They travel to face Schalke 04 at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday.

The result comes as clubs continue to attract attention during the transfer window, with Enzo Fernandez’s move from Chelsea to Man City also highlighted in related coverage.