Bayern Munich navigated a turbulent evening in the German capital, defeating Union Berlin 3-2 on Wednesday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal.
A Chaotic Encounter in Berlin
The match at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei was a wild affair, featuring two penalties for the hosts and two own-goals. Bayern Munich took the lead after just 12 minutes when a Joshua Kimmich corner struck Union defender Ilyas Ansah on the thigh and bounced into the net.
The visitors doubled their advantage from another set-piece. Harry Kane rose highest to powerfully head home a second Kimmich corner in the 24th minute, showcasing his aerial threat.
Penalties and Own-Goals Galore
Union Berlin found a route back into the game when a handball by Bayern's Jonathan Tah conceded a penalty. Leopold Querfeld calmly converted the spot-kick on the 40-minute mark to make it 2-1.
However, the hosts' defensive woes from dead-ball situations continued just before half-time. Diogo Leite inadvertently headed a Michael Olise free-kick into his own net, restoring Bayern's two-goal cushion.
The drama escalated early in the second half when Harry Kane was penalised for a stray elbow in the box. Querfeld stepped up again to score his second penalty of the night, setting up a tense finale at 3-2.
Bayern Hold On for Vital Win
Inspired by their second goal, Union Berlin pushed Bayern deep into their own half for much of the remaining period. Despite the sustained pressure, the German record champions managed to hold on and secure their passage to the last eight.
After the match, Kane acknowledged the performance was not their best. "Tonight we found a way to get through even if it wasn't our prettiest game," the England captain told reporters. He added, "We back ourselves to beat any team at the moment." This victory marks only the second time in six seasons that Bayern have reached the quarter-finals of a competition they have won a record 20 times.
Other Quarter-Finalists Emerge
In other DFB-Pokal action on Wednesday, defending champions VfB Stuttgart advanced with a 2-0 win away to 10-man Bochum. Striker Deniz Undav continued his hot streak with a goal, his seventh in four games across all competitions, though he described the team's display as an "ugly performance."
SC Freiburg also progressed, beating second-division Darmstadt 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Vincenzo Grifo and Lucas Hoeler.
The drama was not confined to Berlin, as Holstein Kiel triumphed in a penalty shootout against three-time winners Hamburg after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. Phil Harres scored a stunning 118th-minute free-kick to force penalties before converting the decisive spot-kick.
They join Bayer Leverkusen, St. Pauli, RB Leipzig, and Hertha Berlin, who all secured their quarter-final places on Tuesday.
