Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in sight

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Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-2 with two goals from Robert Lewandowski alone on Wednesday to advance to the German Cup final for the second straight year and keep the domestic league and cup double firmly in their sights.

Werder scored twice in two minutes to come back from two goals down to level at 2-2 before Lewandowski hit an 80th-minute penalty to seal victory for Bayern, who are chasing a record-extending 19th cup victory.

"We knew it would be tough. We had the penalty but we also had the chances. We deserved to go through," said Bayern's Niko Kovac, who can become the first coach to win the German Cup in consecutive years with different teams.

"We were caught napping in those two minutes and suddenly Bremen are level," said Kovac, who won the Cup with Frankfurt last year. "The penalty may have been a bit lucky but overall we fully deserved the win."

Bayern opened their account with the Bundesliga's leading scorer – Lewandowski – who stabbed in from close range after a looping header from Thomas Mueller had bounced off the post in the 36th minute.

The hosts had their share of chances but it was Bayern who scored again with Mueller in the 63rd.

Werder, however, fought back through Yuya Osako in the 74th minute and Milot Rashica in the 75th.

Lewandowski, however, silenced the home crowd with his spot kick, which was awarded for a foul on Kingsley Coman by Theodor Gebre Selassie that left the Bremen players furious with the decision.

The Poland forward should have had a hat-trick but he hit the post from a meter out in stoppage time.

(Top image: Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski (R) celebrates with teammate Thomas Muller after the penalty goal to secure their side's 3-2 win over Bremen during the German Cup semi-final in Bremen, Germany, April 24, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters