Harry Kane aids Bayern Munich in overcoming RB Leipzig to reach German Cup semi-finals

Harry Kane converted a penalty kick, and Luis Diaz added another goal as Bayern Munich secured a 2 0 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday, advancing to the German Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2020.

Having suffered heavy defeats against Bayern twice this season already, Leipzig showed marked improvement, yet the home team seized control with a pair of goals within four minutes of the second half.

Bayern now join defending champions Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen, and Freiburg in the final four of the tournament this year.

The penalty from Kane marked his 39th goal across all competitions for Bayern this season, whereas Diazs strike was his fifth in the last three outings.

I am unsure if he came into the world that way, but he possesses natural talent and has put in the effort to refine it. We are savouring these instances alongside Harry, remarked Bayern manager Vincent Kompany about Kane.

With a record 20 triumphs in this competition, surpassing any other club by 14, Bayern had not progressed beyond the quarter finals since 2020.

To claim victory here, you require some fortune in the game and perhaps a couple of favourable calls from the officials, but today that fortune eluded us, Leipzig skipper David Raum shared with ARD.

We let in two avoidable goals. I believe we had more potential in that match.

Leipzig have claimed two German Cups since Bayerns previous final outing, but Bayern dominated their opponents this season, prevailing in their two Bundesliga encounters by a total of 11 1.

Leipzig applied early pressure and thought they had scored after merely four minutes, only for Christoph Baumgartners spectacular effort to be ruled out due to a marginal offside decision.

Bayern nearly capitalised on the reprieve straight away, as Kane prompted a desperate block from Ridle Baku while Leipzig keeper Maarten Vandevoordt lay prostrate on the ground.

The hosts progressively dominated proceedings and could have gone ahead at the 57 minute mark, but Vandevoordt produced an excellent stop to thwart Serge Gnabry.

Bayern took the lead shortly after, in the 62nd minute, when Kane slotted home from the penalty spot following Vandevoordts foul on Josip Stanisic inside the area.

This penalty, Kanes fifth against Leipzig this term, represented his 12th from the spot in all competitions during the campaign.

Bayern frequently score in quick succession this season, and they netted once more just four minutes later, with Michael Olise setting up Diaz on the break to confirm their semi final berth.

The German Cup final is scheduled at Berlins Olympic Stadium on 23 May.