Sports

Bayern dispatch Dortmund to clinch Bundesliga title

Sports Desk, Apr 23 (EFE).- Bayern Munich bested Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in Saturday’s 131st edition of Der Klassiker to assure themselves of winning the Bundesliga for the 10th consecutive year and the 31st time in all.

The win at a packed Allianz Arena in Munich lifts Bayern to 75 points, 12 better than Dortmund with just three games left in the season.

The hosts went ahead in the 15th minute as Leon Goretzka redirected a Joshua Kimmich corner to Serge Gnabry, who beat Dortmund goalkeeper Marwin Hitz with a powerful volley.

Dortmund’s first real chance materialized in the 27th minute and fell to top striker Erling Haaland, but the Norwegian fired wide.

Gnabry appeared to double the advantage for Bayern in the 29th, but the goal was disallowed for an offside, though the visitors’ relief was short-lived thanks to Robert Lewandowski, who made in 2-0 in the 34th minute with his 48th marker of the season.

Dortmund caught a break five minutes into the second half with Kimmich’s late challenge in the box on Marco Reus, which resulted in a penalty, converted by Emre Can to narrow the deficit to 2-1.

Reus forced a stop from Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer in the 54th minute and was denied seconds later by defender Lucas Hernandez.

The visitors’ pleas for a second penalty after Benjamin Pavard brought down Jude Bellingham at the hour were to no avail, while Hitz did well to thwart Lewandowski from close range in the 69th minute.

Haaland had a brilliant chance to equalize in the 81st, but had trouble controlling a bouncing ball and sent his strike over the cross-bar.

Two minutes later, sub Jamal Musiala beat Hitz with the second of two shots in succession to seal the game and the title. EFE

rz/dr

Related Articles

Back to top button