Bayern Munich wrapped up the Bundesliga title in imperious fashion on Saturday, with Harry Kane scoring his fourth hat trick of the season in a 5-1 dismantling of Cologne that sent the Bavarian powerhouse back to the top of German football.
Kane's prolific campaign reached 36 goals — five shy of Robert Lewandowski's league record set during the 2020-21 season — as Tom Bischof and Nicolas Jackson also found the net in the final round rout. Bayern finished with a staggering 122 goals across the campaign, comfortably surpassing the previous Bundesliga record of 101 netted by the 1971-72 Bayern side featuring Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller.
The scale is the story here; once the field gets this big, the calendar starts doing some of the reporting.
The milestone goal came from an unlikely source. Leon Goretzka, departing after eight seasons, struck the record-breaking goal with five rounds still to play. "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 his second league title with the club.
With the exception of Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten domestic season in 2024, Bayern has now won every Bundesliga since Borussia Dortmund claimed back-to-back titles in 2012.
French winger Michael Olise, who contributed 15 goals and set up 22 more across 32 appearances, was named Bundesliga player of the season as the celebrations unfolded. Vincent Kompany's side had wrapped up the title with four rounds to spare, though the players had to wait until Saturday before lifting the trophy.
Manuel Neuer, who extended his contract for another year on Friday, handed the captain's armband's silverware to Goretzka to hoist skyward. The moment triggered an explosion of confetti, Queen’s "We Are The Champions" echoing around the stadium, and the traditional beer showers that followed. Giant pitchers full of beer appeared on the pitch and anyone dry became a target — Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano dousing Kompany before the soaked coach managed to join his family on the sideline.
"I'd say today it's OK to celebrate a little," Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. "Then we have a week and then we'll be fully focused on the cup final."
Bayern plays defending champion Stuttgart in the German Cup final at Berlin's Olympiastadion next Saturday.
The trophy finally arrived, but the wait said something
Bayern wrapped up the title with a month to spare yet had to wait until the final round before getting their hands on the "salad bowl." The delay turned a routine coronation into something that almost resembled anticipation.