Kane with a hat-trick: FC Bayern overwhelms Mainz – Downs’ goal debut secures Cologne a point in the derby

Victories for Leipzig & Augsburg

Led by triple goalscorer Harry Kane, FC Bayern delighted the injured Thomas Tuchel with a goal party. After reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the Munich team celebrated an 8:1 (3:1) win against FSV Mainz 05 in a highly entertaining Bundesliga game on Saturday. Except for Kane (13th/45th + 7/70th minute ) Leon Goretzka (19th/90th+2), Thomas Müller (47th), Jamal Musiala (61st) and Serge Gnabry (66th) made the Bayern fans cheer a lot. The remarkable free kick goal to make it 1:2 by Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri (31′) was almost lost in the flood of goals.

Kane scored with his right, his left and his head. The 100 million purchase from the summer now stands at 30 Bundesliga goals. Former Bayern star Robert Lewandowski’s 41-goal record is shaky this season. The English international became the first player in Bundesliga history to score eight multiple packs in his first season.

In a sometimes wild duel between the second-placed team, who at least for one night reduced the gap to leaders Leverkusen to seven points, and the second-to-last team, the Munich team uncharacteristically took the lead through a counterattack. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made the game quick. The ball came to Kane via Müller and Musiala, who was already sniffing the goal himself, and he effortlessly converted it.

Even at 2-0 it happened too quickly for Mainz. Joshua Kimmich, who was also called up as right-back in the absence of the suspended Aleksandar Pavlovic, took a free kick quickly. Goretzka dusted Kane’s header onto the post with his first goal since the first leg win in Mainz.

Mainz Amiri responded with a wonderful free kick into the corner against a completely unsuccessful Bayern wall. But in the seven minutes of stoppage time in the first half, which was so extensive due to Alphonso Davies (Bayern/18th) and Josuha Guilavogui (Mainz/35th) suffering head injuries and being substituted early, Kane scored again after Goretzka’s preparatory work.

Guilavogui’s injury in particular caused a moment of shock. The Frenchman remained motionless on the ground after the collision with teammate Anthony Caci. Referee Patrick Ittrich was quickly on hand to help, as were several Mainz professionals. Mainz sports director Martin Schmidt spoke of a “concussion” and a “great fright”. Davies was hit in the face with his foot early on by 05 captain Silvan Widmer in an aerial duel.

After Müller made it 4-1 at the start of the second half on a pass from Musiala, the game was decided. Musiala made it 5-1 after Kane’s preparatory work. On his Bundesliga comeback after three months, Gnabry acrobatically raised the ball with a heel. Kane was allowed to go again – this time with a header. Like Goretzka shortly before the end. It was the biggest win since the end of October and the 8-0 win against SV Darmstadt 98.

Derby spectacle in Gladbach: 3:3 between Borussia and Cologne

Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln had a spectacular exchange of blows in the thrilling Rhenish derby. The 3:3 (1:1) at Borussia Park had everything that makes a thrilling Bundesliga game. Cologne took the lead twice through Faride Alidou (7th minute/64th). Gladbach turned the game around in the meantime, but in the end Damion Downs saved FC a point with his goal in the 79th minute. Franck Honorat (32nd) and Robin Hack (71st/73rd) scored for Borussia in front of 54,042 spectators.

However, in terms of the table and emotionally, the result is not enough for both teams. Cologne remained winless for the fifth time in a row and is seven points behind the 15th place in the table. After the 3-1 defeat in the first leg and three days before the quarter-finals in the DFB Cup at 1. FC Saarbrücken on Tuesday (8.30 p.m./ZDF and Sky), the hosts missed the revenge they were aiming for.

Victory in slow motion: RB Leipzig gives Darmstadt 98 no chance

After being eliminated from the Champions League, RB Leipzig returned with a must-win in the everyday Bundesliga and entered the duel for fourth place with Borussia Dortmund. The cup winners won 2-0 (1-0) against bottom team Darmstadt 98 and at least temporarily moved past BVB into fourth place. Dortmund played against Werder Bremen on Saturday evening.

In front of 44,319 fans, Darmstadt’s Thomas Isherwood (3rd minute) gave Leipzig an early lead with an own goal. In the second half it only took a few minutes until substitute Christoph Baumgartner scored (50′).

Calm and mature: FC Augsburg continues its climbing tour

FC Augsburg continues its remarkable climb to the international starting positions. In the unspectacular but mature and calm 1-0 (1-0) against promoted team 1. FC Heidenheim, successful coach Jess Thorup and his team were able to celebrate their third win in a row. Before that there was a 2-1 win against SC Freiburg and a brilliant 6-0 win in Darmstadt.

Defense chief Jeffrey Gouweleeuw scored with a volley after a corner from Arne Maier in the 22nd minute in front of 30,660 spectators in the sold-out Augsburg Arena.

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