Bayern Munich reach DFB-Pokal final with 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen – first appearance since 2020
FC Bayern Munich are headed back to the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin after a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal, marking their first appearance in the showpiece since the 2019/20 season. The win, secured by an early goal from Harry Kane and a late strike from Luis Díaz, ends a six-year wait for the Bavarians to return to Germany’s premier cup final.
The match, played at BayArena in Leverkusen on April 20, 2026, saw Bayern dominate large stretches of the game despite Leverkusen’s persistent pressure. Kane opened the scoring in the first half, converting a counter-attacking move with a composed finish past Leverkusen goalkeeper Justin Bijlow. The goal came after a swift transition initiated by Joshua Kimmich, who found Kane in space following a Leverkusen turnover.
Leverkusen, seeking to defend their DFB-Pokal title won in 2024, created several chances but were repeatedly denied by Bijlow, who made a series of crucial saves to keep Bayern in the lead. The German international goalkeeper was particularly active in the second half, turning away efforts from Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick to preserve the 1-0 advantage.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Bayern sealed the victory with a second goal that initially appeared to be ruled out for offside. After a VAR review confirmed the goal stood, Luis Díaz chipped the ball over Bijlonk from the edge of the box following a through-ball from Leon Goretzka. The Colombian winger’s finish sparked celebrations among the Bayern players and staff, confirming their passage to the final.
The victory means Bayern will face either SC Freiburg or VfB Stuttgart in the final, scheduled for May 24, 2026 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Freiburg and Stuttgart are set to meet in the other semifinal later on April 20, with the winner advancing to face Bayern in the title match.
This will be Bayern’s first DFB-Pokal final appearance since their 2019/20 triumph, when they defeated Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 in the final to complete the treble. Since then, the Bavarians have been eliminated in the quarterfinals or earlier in three consecutive seasons, including a penalty shootout loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2022/23.
For Leverkusen, the loss ends their bid to retain the DFB-Pokal trophy they won just under two years ago. In the 2023/24 final, Leverkusen defeated 1. FC Kaiserslautern 1-0 at the Olympiastadion, with Patrik Schick scoring the only goal of the match. That victory secured the club’s first domestic double, having already won the Bundesliga title earlier that season.
The result also has implications for European qualification. As Bundesliga champions, Leverkusen have already secured a place in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League group stage. With their DFB-Pokal run ending in the semifinal, the Europa League berth reserved for the cup winner will instead go to the highest-placed Bundesliga team not already qualified for European competition.
Bayern’s journey to the final has been built on defensive resilience and clinical efficiency in transitions. Throughout the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal campaign, they have conceded only two goals in four matches, keeping clean sheets in both the round of 16 and quarterfinals. Their attacking threat has been led by Kane, who has scored five goals in the competition, and Díaz, who has contributed three goals and two assists.
Leverkusen, despite the defeat, showed moments of the high-pressing, possession-based style that brought them Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal success in 2023/24. But, they were unable to sustain the intensity needed to break down a well-organized Bayern defense, particularly in the final third where final passes and shots often lacked precision.
The Olympiastadion in Berlin will host the DFB-Pokal final for the fourth time in six years, having staged the decider in 2021, 2022, and 2024. The venue, with a capacity of over 74,000, will once again provide the stage for German football’s premier cup showdown.
As Bayern prepare for the final, their focus will shift to assessing player availability and refining tactics ahead of what could be a historic double. A victory in Berlin would give Bayern their 21st DFB-Pokal title and set up a potential clash with Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup later in the summer, should they also win the Bundesliga.
The DFB-Pokal final is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM local time in Berlin (6:00 PM UTC) on May 24, 2026. Fans around the world will be able to follow the match through official broadcasters and streaming platforms, with full coverage available via the DFB’s international partners.
For continued updates on Bayern Munich’s path to the final and all developments surrounding the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal, stay tuned to trusted sports news sources. The countdown to Berlin has begun.
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