Bayern 3, Dortmund 1: Bayern seal 10th straight Bundesliga title
Bayern Munich remains the only European team to complete a decade of domestic dominance by beating their main rivals BorussiaDortmund 3-1 to seal a record-extending 10th consecutive Bundesliga title.
Goals from Serge Gnabry, Robert Lewandowski and Jamal Musiala sent Bayern an unassailable 12 points clear of second-placed Dortmund with three games of the season remaining. It was Bayern’s eighth consecutive league victory over Dortmund, who haven’t won a game in Munich since 2014.
Bayern’s 10th straight German championship is a record among Europe’s top five leagues, eclipsing the nine Serie A titles in a row by Juventus from 2012 to 2020. Their players celebrated with the customary beer showers. Defender Benjamin Pavard doused Julian Nagelsmann with beer after the coach’s first title in charge.
Though Dortmund had little hope left of catching the Bavarian powerhouse, Marco Rose’s players wanted to delay their rivals’ title celebrations for another day. But the visitors were left to rue the cost of individual mistakes and missed opportunities.
Both Rose and Emre Can were booked toward the end of the first half as the referee, Daniel Siebert, reacted to fraying tempers. Dortmund started well but Bayern scored with their first corner of the game in the 15th minute when Leon Goretzka cushioned the ball back for Gnabry. The unmarked Germany forward took it on his thigh then let fly with a volley inside the left post.
Erling Haaland missed a good chance for Dortmund before Gnabry had a second goal ruled out through VAR for offside in the 30th. The home fans didn’t have to wait long to resume their celebrations as Gnabry pressured Dan-Axel Zagadou into a bad pass in the 34th minute. The ball fell for Thomas Müller, who set up Lewandowski for his 33rd league goal of the season.
Can converted a penalty to revitalise Dortmund hopes early in the second half, when the visitors played with much more urgency. But a possible second penalty wasn’t given despite Pavard appearing to bring down Jude Bellingham while attempting to reach the ball.
Haaland again went close to an equaliser for Dortmund before Musiala sealed the result and the title in the 83rd minute.