Bayern Munich recovered from an early setback to beat VfL Osnabrück 4–1 in the DFB Cup, with Harry Kane scoring twice.
Match Overview
FC Bayern Munich underlined their strength in cup competition with a convincing 4–1 victory away to second-division VfL Osnabrück, securing their place in the second round of the DFB Cup.
The hosts produced a dream start when Robin Meißner opened the scoring in the fifth minute, giving Osnabrück an early advantage and energising the home crowd.
Bayern, however, responded with the composure expected from one of Germany's leading clubs. Harry Kane equalised in the 18th minute, before Tom Bischof completed the turnaround six minutes later.
The visitors entered half-time with a 2–1 lead and gradually took control after the interval. Michael Olise made it 3–1 in the 73rd minute, before Kane completed his brace from the penalty spot in the 86th minute.
The final score reflected Bayern's ability to absorb an early challenge before eventually imposing their quality and depth.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | DFB-Pokal 2026/27 |
| Round | First Round |
| Match | VfL Osnabrück vs Bayern Munich |
| Venue | Osnabrück |
| Final Score | Osnabrück 1–4 Bayern Munich |
| Half-Time | Osnabrück 1–2 Bayern Munich |
| Bayern Scorers | Harry Kane 18', 86' pen; Tom Bischof 24'; Michael Olise 73' |
| Osnabrück Scorer | Robin Meißner 5' |
| Result | Bayern advance to the second round |
Osnabrück Make the Perfect Start
For a second-division team facing Bayern Munich, the ideal scenario is usually to make the visitors uncomfortable from the opening whistle.
Osnabrück managed exactly that.
Just five minutes into the match, Robin Meißner found the breakthrough, putting the hosts 1–0 ahead and giving Bayern an early problem to solve.
The goal was significant beyond the scoreline. It gave Osnabrück belief that they could compete with the Bundesliga giants, while forcing Bayern to respond earlier than they would have expected.
For a short period, the home side had the momentum and the atmosphere inside the stadium reflected the possibility of a cup upset.
But Bayern's reaction was decisive.
Harry Kane Restores Parity
Bayern did not allow the early deficit to disrupt their overall approach.
The visitors increased their pressure and began finding more opportunities in the attacking third. Their persistence eventually paid off in the 18th minute, when Harry Kane equalised.
Kane's goal changed the complexion of the contest.
At 1–1, Bayern were no longer chasing the game. Instead, the Bundesliga champions had regained control and could begin dictating the tempo with greater confidence.
The England captain's contribution was particularly important because his ability to convert limited opportunities into goals gives Bayern an enormous advantage in matches where opponents defend with intensity.
Bischof Completes Bayern's First-Half Comeback
Only six minutes after Kane's equaliser, Bayern completed the turnaround.
Tom Bischof scored in the 24th minute, sending the visitors into a 2–1 lead.
The sequence demonstrated Bayern's ability to respond rapidly after conceding. What initially looked like the beginning of a potential cup upset had quickly become a familiar Bayern situation: the favourites were now ahead and attempting to extend their advantage.
Osnabrück nevertheless remained competitive enough to prevent Bayern from completely running away with the contest before the break.
At half-time, Bayern held a 2–1 advantage, but the hosts still had a realistic opportunity if they could score the next goal.
Second Half: Bayern Increase Their Control
The second half was largely about Bayern managing the match while looking for the opportunity to create more separation.
Osnabrück needed to take greater risks in search of an equaliser. That naturally created additional space for Bayern's attacking players.
The visitors were increasingly able to exploit that space as the match progressed.
Their patience eventually produced a third goal.
Olise Gives Bayern Breathing Room
In the 73rd minute, Michael Olise scored Bayern's third goal, extending the visitors' lead to 3–1.
It was an important moment because it effectively removed much of the uncertainty that had remained after Osnabrück's strong opening.
At 3–1, Bayern could play with greater freedom, while Osnabrück faced the difficult task of scoring twice against a side with considerable attacking quality.
Olise's goal also highlighted the depth of Bayern's offensive options. With Kane already on the scoresheet and Bischof having contributed earlier, Bayern were able to rely on different attacking players to decide the match.
Kane Completes His Double From the Spot
Bayern added a fourth goal late in the contest.
With four minutes remaining in normal time, Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 86th minute, completing his brace and putting the result beyond doubt.
The England international had already restored parity earlier in the match, and his second goal provided the finishing touch to a professional cup performance.
The penalty also ensured that Kane finished the evening as the game's leading scorer, contributing directly to two of Bayern's four goals.
Goal Timeline
5' – 1–0 Osnabrück: Robin Meißner gives the hosts an early lead.
18' – 1–1: Harry Kane brings Bayern level.
24' – 1–2 Bayern: Tom Bischof completes Bayern's first-half comeback.
73' – 1–3 Bayern: Michael Olise extends the visitors' advantage.
86' – 1–4 Bayern: Harry Kane converts from the penalty spot to complete his brace.
Tactical Analysis
Bayern's Response Was the Difference
The defining feature of Bayern's performance was their reaction to conceding so early.
An away match against a motivated second-division opponent can become complicated when the underdog scores first. Bayern avoided allowing the early goal to dictate the rest of the contest.
Instead, they increased their attacking pressure and scored twice before half-time.
That turnaround demonstrated both their experience and their ability to maintain composure in an unfamiliar cup environment.
Kane Provides the Cutting Edge
Harry Kane once again demonstrated why his presence is so valuable.
The striker's first goal restored Bayern's momentum, while his late penalty effectively sealed the victory.
His two-goal contribution also provided a reminder of his efficiency in front of goal. Bayern can create pressure and possession, but having a striker capable of turning key moments into goals remains one of their biggest advantages.
Olise Adds Another Attacking Threat
Michael Olise's 73rd-minute goal was equally important from a tactical perspective.
With Osnabrück increasingly forced to attack, Bayern had more space to exploit. Olise was able to take advantage and provide the goal that finally broke the hosts' resistance.
His contribution gives Bayern another important attacking dimension alongside Kane and the team's other creative players.
Standout Player: Harry Kane
Harry Kane was the obvious standout performer.
The England captain scored twice, including the equaliser that brought Bayern back into the game and the penalty that completed the 4–1 victory.
His performance combined efficiency with leadership at a moment when Bayern needed to settle the match.
For Osnabrück, Meißner deserves recognition for giving the hosts an early advantage, while Tom Bischof and Michael Olise played important roles in Bayern's comeback.
What the Result Means
For Bayern Munich, the result represents a successful start to their DFB Cup campaign.
Cup competitions can produce unexpected results, particularly when Bundesliga teams travel to face lower-division opponents. Bayern avoided that danger by responding quickly after conceding and gradually establishing control.
The victory also provides valuable momentum as the club continues its domestic campaign.
For Osnabrück, the defeat ends their DFB Cup journey, but the opening goal and their first-half competitiveness offered positive moments against one of Europe's strongest clubs.
The experience of facing Bayern can also provide valuable lessons for a second-division side, particularly in terms of maintaining concentration after taking an early lead.
Final Thoughts
Bayern Munich ultimately showed why they entered the match as overwhelming favourites.
Osnabrück stunned the visitors with Robin Meißner's fifth-minute opener, but Bayern responded through Harry Kane, Tom Bischof, and Michael Olise before Kane's late penalty completed a convincing 4–1 victory.
The result was not simply about Bayern's superior individual quality. Their ability to remain calm after conceding, turn the game around before half-time and then manage the second half effectively was equally important.
For Kane, the evening ended with two goals. For Bayern, it ended with a comfortable passage into the second round of the DFB-Pokal.
The early scare ultimately became a professional cup victory—and a clear indication that Bayern remain determined to compete seriously on every domestic front.