Bayern Munich players celebrate during their German Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig in Munich, Germany, December 20, 2024. /CFP
Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the German Bundesliga to seven points, after a commanding 5-1 home victory over fourth-placed RB Leipzig on Friday, in the opening match of the 15th round.
The game came to life almost immediately, with Jamal Musiala firing Bayern into the lead after just 30 seconds, following a neat interchange between Harry Kane and Michael Olise set up the 21-year-old midfielder for a clinical finish from inside the area.
The early opener stunned Leipzig, but they responded with equal intensity, as Lois Openda's precise square pass found Benjamin Sesko, who unleashed a low shot into the bottom left-hand corner to level the contest in the second minute.
Never before had the score been 1-1 in the first two minutes of a Bundesliga match.
Unfazed by the visiting side's equalizer, Bayern quickly regained control of the game. In the 10th minute, Musiala's powerful header forced a save from Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, setting the tone for Bayern's relentless pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute, when Konrad Laimer capitalized on Olise's build-up play to restore the lead for the Bavarians.
Joshua Kimmich then extended the home side's edge in the 35th minute on a stunning long-range strike, leaving Gulacsi with no chance as Bayern raced out to a 3-1 lead.
The hosts continued to dictate play after the break, with Leroy Sane and Olise both coming close to doubling their advantage.
Leipzig, meanwhile, struggled to find any kind of rhythm. A brief glimmer of hope came in the 60th minute, when Openda had a shot blocked, and Antonio Nusa's follow-up effort from a tight angle went wide.
As Bayern's attack continued to probe, Sane was finally rewarded in the 75th minute. Alphonso Davies provided the assist, slipping a pass into Sane's path for a clinical finish inside the far post.
Just three minutes later, Davies turned scorer, heading home Kimmich's perfect cross to make it 5-1 and close out the goal flurry.
The emphatic win further cement Bayern Munich's position at the top of the table, as they now have a seven-point cushion over their closest rivals, defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Leipzig, meanwhile, remain in fourth place.