Harry Kane (2nd L) of Bayern Munich shoots during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, March 29 (Xinhua) -- A goal from Harry Kane and a brace from Leroy Sane helped Bayern Munich secure a 3-2 win over relegation-threatened St. Pauli, extending their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to six points with seven matches remaining on Saturday.
Bayern started aggressively and nearly struck in the opening minute, as Leon Goretzka's header forced a strong save from Nikola Vasilj.
St. Pauli struggled early but nearly shocked the hosts when Noah Weisshaupt's angled effort was tipped over by Noah Urbig.
At the back, Bayern looked shaky. A deep cross from St. Pauli saw Jackson Irvine rise highest, and Joshua Kimmich's mishit clearance rattled the crossbar.
But Bayern made their next attack count. After a midfield turnover, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise combined to set up Kane, who finished from close range to open the scoring in the 17th minute.
Though Raphael Guerreiro nearly added a second, it was St. Pauli who hit back. Manolis Saliakas found Elias Saad unmarked in the box, and the forward nodded in the equalizer at the half hour mark.
Bayern had chances to retake the lead before halftime, with Musiala going close and Van der Heyden blocking a Sane effort. After the break, Bayern regained control as Olise threaded a brilliant pass to Sane, who slotted into the far corner to make it 2-1.
Bayern elevated intensity while tightening its defense. In the 71st minute, another slick move saw Kane and Olise link up again, with Sane slotting his second of the day.
A comfortable finish seemed likely until Hiroki Ito was forced off late with a foot injury, leaving Bayern with ten men. St. Pauli took advantage in stoppage time, as Lars Ritzka surged forward and curled in a low strike to set up a tense finale.
"St. Pauli have been a very organized team all season. We allowed them a little too much in the first half, but I am pleased with the way we created chances after the break. Overall, I am happy with the result and the performance, although Hiroki Ito's injury put a bit of a damper on the day," said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt cemented their hold on third place, edging past ten-man Stuttgart 1-0 thanks to a composed finish from Mario Gotze. Borussia Monchengladbach leapfrogged Leipzig into the top five with a narrow 1-0 win, Alassane Plea's first-half strike proving decisive against the Red Bulls. Relegation-threatened Heidenheim picked up three vital points with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Wolfsburg. Werder Bremen recorded a convincing 3-0 win away at bottom side Holstein Kiel, while Hoffenheim and Augsburg shared the spoils 1-1. ■
Leroy Sane (1st L) of Bayern Munich celebrates his second goal with teammates during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Jamal Musiala (R) of Bayern Munich vies with Eric Smith of FC St. Pauli during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Harry Kane (1st R) of Bayern Munich celebrates his goal with teammates during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Michael Olise (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Siebe Van der Heyden of FC St. Pauli during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Jamal Musiala (R) of Bayern Munich vies with Siebe Van der Heyden of FC St. Pauli during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Leroy Sane (R) of Bayern Munich shoots to score during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Jamal Musiala (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Philipp Treu of FC St. Pauli during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Bayern Munich's goalkeeper Jonas Urbig makes a save during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FC St. Pauli in Munich, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Mario Goetze (2nd R) of Eintracht Frankfurt shoots to score during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Mario Goetze (L) of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring with his teammate Hugo Larsson during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Rasmus Christensen (L) of Eintracht Frankfurt vies with Chris Fuehrich of VfB Stuttgart during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Sebastian Hoeness, head coach of VfB Stuttgart, instructs during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Alexander Nuebel(C), goalkeeper of VfB Stuttgart, saves a ball during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Ansgar Knauff (R) of Eintracht Frankfurt vies with Maximilian Mittelstaedt of VfB Stuttgart during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Mario Goetze (2nd L) of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
(250330) -- FRANKFURT, March 30, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Dino Toppmoeller, head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, instructs during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
