Bundesliga champions Bayern München secured their 18th DFB Cup victory courtesy of a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Borussia Dortmund in front of 74,322 spectators in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. There was a lack of accuracy from both teams in the first half, but the second 45 and extra-time produced a thrilling encounter between Germany's top two club sides.
Ultimately, Sven Bender failed to convert from the spot against Germany no.1 Manuel Neuer, while Sokratis fired wide, allowing Bayern to clinch the title in a penalty shootout. EURO 2016 provisional squad member Joshua Kimmich had missed a penalty for Bayern, but the record champions prevailed after Thomas Müller and Douglas Costa found the target.
Borussia Dortmund have now lost three consecutive DFB Cup finals following last year's defeat to Wolfsburg and 2014's loss to Bayern in extra time.
Bayern eventually take control
It was a tentative start by both sides, as neither the Bundesliga champions nor their closest pursuers managed to take control of the tie, under the watchful eye of Die Mannschaft coach Joachim Löw. Müller had the first chance for Bayern after four minutes and was again in the spotlight on 22 minutes as the Munich club looked to take control of the tie.
Douglas Costa's attempt after 33 minutes was saved by BVB keeper Roman Bürki, but Dortmund remained dangerous on the counterattack. The intensity of the game increased, as referee Marco Fritz handed out three bookings within a short period of time.
Opportunities at both ends
Dortmund struggled to create chances and nothing appeared to change after half time. Bayern were on the move and Franck Ribéry was a constant threat down the left wing. However, BVB stayed in contention and fired a warning shot of their own through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after 57 minutes.
The tension was visibly increasing on the pitch as the final progressed into its latter stages. The spectators were presented with chances by the minute with both teams creating concrete opportunities to take the lead.
Penalty shoot-out brings decision
Bayern remained the more proactive side in extra time and former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski had an early chance denied by a last-ditch tackle from World Champion Erik Durm, before Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired wide from a narrow angle at the other end.
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