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Harry Kane equalled Robert Lewandowski’s mid-season Bundesliga scoring record with a late goal, but it was Jamal Musiala who provided the real credit in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over 10-man Hoffenheim.
The England striker scored with his left foot from 12 yards in stoppage time for his 22nd goal in 16 games to match the guy who inherited the number one shirt after his summer transfer from Tottenham. Kane now has next week’s home game against Werder Bremen to surpass Lewandowski’s tally at the halfway point of the campaign.
But on a night when the death of Bayern’s wonderful Franz Beckenbauer was marked by tributes (the outside of the stadium was emblazoned with the words “Danke Franz”), it was the exceptional talents of 20-year-old German foreigner Musiala that stood out. . He lit up the Allianz Arena and brought his team within one point of leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
22⚽ pic. twitter. com/GN3aWQprOo
– FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 12, 2024
The first of his two goals secured a new record for the German champions, who have now scored in back-to-back domestic league games to break their own Bundesliga record set between 1970 and 1974.
Musiala opened the scoring in the first half with a shot from a narrow angle which goalkeeper Oliver Baumann could have dealt with better before converting a simpler 70th-minute effort to secure the result on a night of half-chances and missed opportunities.
Grischa Promel’s sending off in the 74th minute for a second yellow card ended the visitors’ hopes of a late comeback, which seemed unlikely after failing to take advantage of the only smart moment of the game midway through the second half, when Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer scored his goal. 500th appearance for the club with two smart saves.
All the Bayern players wore Beckenbauer’s number five in the warm-up, their shirts also had “Danke Franz” written on them, and there was a moment of silence before kick-off.
Once the match started, the hosts failed to create before taking the lead with their first shot in the 18th minute.
Hoffenheim were to blame for extinction when Bayern took a quick corner, which allowed Leroy Sané to locate Musiala in the area and beat Baumann from close range at the far post.
It was Bayern’s 50th league goal in their 16th game and Hoffenheim’s 12th without a clean sheet.
The only surprise is the home side’s inability to impose their dominance, with the winter break seemingly to have weakened their invention, as all they can do is muster an effort from Raphael Guerreiro, created through Kane, who comfortably turned the post.
Hoffenheim’s limited chances meant Andrej Kramaric’s shot sailed gently past Neuer.
Kane thought he had kicked Sane for Bayern’s second goal 10 minutes after the break, but was ruled out for offside in front of the England captain, who continued to appear as one of Bayern’s biggest threats with a deflected shot.
Musiala then hit the post from distance, Thomas Müller failed to finish and Konrad Laimer and Alphonso Davies were denied by Baumann as Bayern began to increase the pressure.
Emotional moments before kick off as part of the tribute to one of world football’s biggest icons, Franz Beckenbauer.
Rest in peace, Kaiser! pic. twitter. com/gtVqR4Lqnm
– FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 12, 2024
But they almost had to pay for not taking advantage of an opportunity, as Neuer was forced to make two very good saves, first on a close-range header from Maximilian Beier and then on Kramaric as he raced towards goal.
Even when Neuer beat a Beier volley, the ball crashed against the crossbar, costing him even more.
Musiala doubled his tally by converting Sane’s return pass and Kane scored his own late goal.
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