Bayern Munich finally lifted the Bundesliga trophy on Saturday, completing a dominant season that saw the Bavarian giants rewrite the record books. A 5-1 victory over Cologne delivered both the title and a new benchmark for goals in Germany's top flight.
Harry Kane led the rout with his fourth hat trick of the campaign, vaulting his season tally to 36 goals—five shy of Robert Lewandowski's league record set in 2020-21. Tom Bischof and Nicolas Jackson added the other goals in a rout that decided the championship with four rounds remaining.
Record-breaking finish
Bayern closed the season at 122 goals, comfortably surpassing the previous Bundesliga mark of 101 set by the 1971-72 vintage featuring Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller. Leon Goretzka struck the record-breaking goal with five rounds still to play, providing a moment that will define his eight-year tenure at the club.
The record did not need much decoration; it already did the talking.
"We have a great group, a great togetherness, and to celebrate success with that is awesome," Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said after securing his second league title with the club.
Celebration delay
Despite wrapping up the title with weeks to spare, the players waited until Saturday to get the ir hands on the trophy. Captain Manuel Neuer, who extended his contract by another year on Friday, handed the silverware to Goretzka for the traditional hoist as Queen blasted from the speakers.
The beer showers arrived predictably soon after, with giant pitchers appearing on the pitch and anyone staying dry becoming a target. Defender Dayot Upamecano doused manager Vincent Kompany before the soaked coach could reach his family on the sidelines.
"I'd say today it's OK to celebrate a little," midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. "The n we have a week and the n we'll be fully focused on the cup final."
Bayern faces defending champion Stuttgart in the German Cup final next Saturday at Berlin's Olympiastadion.
Around the league
French winger Michael Olise earned Bundesliga player of the season honors after contributing 15 goals and 22 assists across 32 appearances. With the exception of Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten 2024 campaign, Bayern has now claimed every title since Borussia Dortmund's back-to-back victories in 2012.