A stunning hat-trick from Harry Kane powered FC Bayern Munich to a commanding 3-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup final on Saturday, sealing Bayern’s record-extending 21st DFB-Pokal title and completing a memorable domestic double.
The triumph also ended Bayern’s six-year wait for German Cup glory and marked the club’s 14th league-and-cup double — a feat unmatched in German football history.
Kane, who joined Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in 2023, delivered on the biggest stage with three clinical finishes to take his remarkable tally to 61 goals in all competitions this season.
“Going into this final, I felt like it was my responsibility,” Kane said after the match. “To score a hat-trick in a final is such a special feeling. These are memories I’ll remember forever.”
After a tightly contested first half, Bayern exploded into life after the break. Kane opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a diving header from a precise cross by Michael Olise.
The England captain struck again in the 80th minute after collecting a pass from Luis Diaz, spinning past his marker and drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.
He completed his treble deep into stoppage time after converting a penalty awarded for handball against Angelo Stiller.
Despite the defeat, Stuttgart had looked dangerous early on, forcing Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, standing in for injured captain Manuel Neuer, into several important saves.
The final was also marked by fan protests against the German Football Federation over rising ticket prices and stricter proposed stadium surveillance measures, including facial recognition technology and personalized ticketing systems.
Pyrotechnics lit up sections of the stadium during the second half, briefly interrupting play as supporters from both clubs voiced opposition to tighter crowd-control policies.
After the final whistle, Bayern players celebrated with supporters beneath golden confetti in Berlin, capping a dominant domestic campaign despite falling short in the UEFA Champions League semifinals against Paris Saint-Germain F.C..
