English forward Harry Kane scored a hat trick as Bayern Munich defeated defending champions VfB Stuttgart 3-0 to win the German Cup (DFB Pokal) for the 21st time on Saturday.
The England captain's three goals completed a domestic double for the Bundesliga champions.
The win ended a six-year drought in the competition for the Bavarian giants and brought Kane's seasonal total to 61 goals across all competitions.
It also marked the Reds' 14th league-and-cup double. No other German club has achieved the double more than once.
Kane elated after third goal seals victory
"Going into this final, I felt like it was my responsibility," Kane told journalists. "To score a hat trick in a final is such a special feeling. These are memories I'll remember forever."
Kane opened the scoring in the 55th minute. Michael Olise surged down the right flank and delivered a precise low cross, which Kane met with a diving header.
He then added his second goal in the 80th minute, collecting a pass from Luis Diaz, which he spun sharply and drove a low shot into the bottom corner.
And after Angelo Stiller handled the ball in stoppage time, Kane stepped up and converted the penalty with confidence to complete his treble.
The prolific striker managed to score in every round of the cup this season.
Fans decry ticket prices, security clampdown
During the second half, both sets of fans staged protests against the German Football Federation (DFB), complaining about high ticket prices and strict rules on fan behavior.
Pyrotechnics created thick smoke that forced two brief interruptions in play as fans defied the longstanding ban on such devices.
They also protested against proposed DFB and government plans for stricter surveillance at matches — including personalized ticketing and facial recognition technology — along with tougher stadium nationwide bans based on suspicion rather than proven offenses.
Bayern supporters displayed a giant crossed-out DFB logo with an expletive, while Stuttgart fans called for "freedom for the terraces."
From first-half frustration to second-half dominance
Stuttgart controlled much of the first half and threatened on the counter, with Maximilian Mittelstädt and Chris Führich looking particularly dangerous.
Jonas Urbig, replacing the injured Manuel Neuer in goal, made a strong save to deny Mittelstädt, while Alexander Nübel was forced into a stunning save late in the first half.
Bayern improved after the break. They made Stuttgart pay for failing to convert their first-half opportunities. Konrad Laimer wasted a clear chance shortly after the opener when he fired a rebound over an empty net.
The result underlined Bayern's dominance, having already beaten Stuttgart three times this season, including the Super Cup and a key Bundesliga match in April that helped them clinch the title with four games to spare.
While Stuttgart came into the match as defending champions — having defeated Arminia Bielefeld 4–2 in the 2025 final — they were unable to keep hold of the trophy against a relentless second-half surge from the Reds.
Bayern bask in cup glory
After the final whistle, Bayern players ran to their fans in the east stand, before celebrating under golden confetti as they lifted the trophy.
"The second half was much better. We were much more effective," Captain Joshua Kimmich told public broadcaster ARD.
Bayern had endured several cup disappointments in recent years, including three second-round exits. Thankfully, Kane's arrival and outstanding form helped end that sequence.
Bayern claimed the domestic double despite falling short in the Champions League semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain.
Courtesy: DW
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
