Gala to start the new year
FC Bayern works magic – and wins a historic victory
Updated January 11, 2026 – 7:31 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Bayern Munich is the clear favorite for the championship in 2026. VfL Wolfsburg was a guest at the start. But the “Wolves” were only able to stand up to half of Bayern.
FC Bayern is unstoppable in the Bundesliga. The record champions won 8-1 at home against VfL Wolfsburg, particularly in the second half. At halftime, Bayern were still narrowly leading 2-1, but it became clear in the 45 minutes that followed.
The goals for Munich were scored by Luis Díaz (30th minute), Michael Olise (50th, 76th), Raphaël Guerreiro (68th), Harry Kane (69th) and Leon Goretzka (88th). In addition, Wolfsburg’s Kilian Fischer and Moritz Jenz each scored an own goal. For the guests, Dzenan Pejcinovic scored the equalizer to make it 1-1 (13th). The 8-1 defeat in Munich is the worst defeat in Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga history.
As announced, coach Vincent Kompany had to do without Jamal Musiala in the first competitive game of the year. The magic foot, who is due to make his comeback in the coming games, was missing from the Munich squad, as were Joshua Kimmich (ankle) and Alphonso Davies (illness). Kimmich was replaced by Tom Bischof, Manuel Neuer (after a torn muscle fiber) and Konrad Laimer (after a yellow card suspension) returned to the starting eleven.
Bayern got off to a perfect start. In the hosts’ first real attack, Díaz played the ball sharply into the middle, Fischer, who was making his comeback after a three-month break due to an ankle injury, scored into his own goal under pressure from Olise. However, the Wolfsburg team did not let this discourage them – on the contrary.
Coach Daniel Bauer’s team repeatedly put Bayern under pressure early on and looked for a way forward. Pejcinovic rewarded his efforts early on after a pass from Lovro Majer. Even after that, the guests remained brave. After half an hour, however, Díaz put Bayern back in the lead from close range – the Colombian headed in a cross from Olise.
The Munich team came out of the locker room at great speed. Olise (48th) was initially denied by Kamil Grabara, but shortly afterwards the VfL keeper was left behind by the Frenchman. Just three minutes later, Olise scored his third goal; Jenz cleared his pass into the center into his own goal in front of the advancing Díaz. Guerreiro and Kane made it clear with a dream goal. The outstanding Olise and Goretzka then put the end to Wolfsburg’s heaviest Bundesliga defeat.