Bayern Munich reached the German Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 home win over RB Leipzig, as Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot and Luis Diaz sealed the victory in the second half.
Bayern Munich kept their German Cup ambitions alive with a controlled 2-0 home win over Leipzig on Wednesday night, booking a place in the semi finals in a tie that only truly opened up after the break.
In a match shaped by tension, tactical caution and long spells of probing possession, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 64th minute when Harry Kane converted a penalty to put the hosts in front. Three minutes later, Luis Diaz struck to make it 2-0 and effectively settle the contest, leaving Leipzig with too little time and too few openings to mount a comeback.
For Bayern, the result is another step in a competition that carries extra weight this season. They are the record winners of the German Cup with 20 titles, but the club has not lifted the trophy since 2019-20. Recent exits in earlier rounds have made the Cup a recurring talking point in Munich, especially given the clubs expectation to compete for every major honour. Reaching the last four restores momentum and keeps a clear route open to silverware in a tournament where one strong run can quickly change the narrative.
The first half followed a familiar pattern for big knockout games between top sides. Bayern enjoyed more of the ball and tried to dictate tempo, but Leipzig stayed compact, protected central zones and looked to spring forward when Bayern committed numbers. Both teams had moments where the final pass or the decisive touch was missing, and the game moved in phases rather than flowing freely. Bayern tried to stretch the pitch with width and quick switches, while Leipzig focused on limiting space between the lines and preventing Bayern from turning possession into clear chances.
After the interval, Bayern increased the intensity and played with more direct purpose, moving the ball quicker and pushing their full backs higher to pin Leipzig deeper. The pressure eventually produced the key incident: a penalty that Kane dispatched with his usual composure. The goal changed the dynamic immediately. Leipzig had to open up, and Bayern, with more space to attack, punished them almost straight away. Diaz, the former Porto player, finished clinically to double the lead just three minutes after the opener, turning a tight quarter final into a far more comfortable night for the hosts.
The second goal mattered not only because it increased the margin, but also because it gave Bayern control of game management. With a two goal cushion, they were able to slow the tempo, circulate possession and force Leipzig to chase. Leipzig attempted to respond with more risk and forward runs, but Bayern defended the central areas well and limited transitions, ensuring there were no late scares. In knockout football, that ability to stay calm after scoring is often the difference between progressing and inviting unnecessary drama, and Bayern handled the final stages with professionalism.
Kane once again delivered in a decisive moment. Even when Bayern do not create a steady stream of open play chances, having a forward who can convert under pressure provides a reliable edge. Diaz also made a significant impact, offering speed and vertical threat that forced Leipzig to defend deeper once Bayern had the lead. His goal, coming so soon after the opener, was a classic knockout punch that drained belief from the visitors and rewarded Bayern for stepping up their intensity after half time.
Portuguese international Raphael Guerreiro remained on the bench, but the result will still be a positive one for him and for Bayern, given the teams broader objective of competing on multiple fronts. Cup ties often demand squad depth, and Bayern will need rotation and options as the season enters its decisive phase. Progressing without drama, while keeping key players fresh, is exactly the kind of night a title contender wants.
With the semi final line up now set, Bayern will be joined in the last four by Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart, the reigning holders. That group guarantees a demanding finish to the competition. Leverkusen have been one of the strongest sides in Germany in recent seasons, Stuttgart have already proven they can handle high pressure Cup matches, and Freiburg are well known for their organisation and ability to frustrate bigger clubs. There is no easy draw at this stage, and every semi final will likely be decided by details: set pieces, game state decisions, and the ability to stay composed in the final minutes.
For Bayern, the path is clear in terms of what comes next. The club has the history, the quality and the expectation to go all the way, but that also brings pressure. After several seasons without a German Cup triumph, reaching the semi finals is only a partial step. The real target is a return to the final and the chance to add a 21st Cup title to their record. The win over Leipzig, achieved with patience and a decisive burst in the second half, suggests Bayern are finding the balance between control and ruthlessness that knockout football demands.
