LEVERKUSEN, Germany — Treble-chasing Bayern Munich beat host Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on Wednesday with goals from Harry Kane and Luis Diaz to reach the German Cup final for the first time in six years.
The host was no match for the Bavarians, who, fresh from securing the league title on Sunday, were in control for much of the game.
Bayern will also travel to Paris Saint-Germain next week for the first leg of its Champions League semifinal.
Leverkusen tried to stay competitive for about 20 minutes, but then found itself 1-0 down, with Kane drilling in from close range in the 22nd minute for his seventh goal in the competition this season.
“It was a top performance from start to finish,” Kane said. “We pressed them and won the ball high. We should’ve scored more goals and decided the game earlier.
“Overall they didn’t create many chances and we deserved the win. We said at the start of the season that the German Cup was a goal. I’m really happy we made it there.”
The England international, who was the man of the match and also leads the scorers’ list in the Bundesliga with 32 goals, went close again in the 40th minute with a powerful shot that flew narrowly wide.
By halftime Bayern, without the injured Serge Gnabry who will also miss the World Cup with an adductor muscle tear, had nine shots on goal to Leverkusen’s zero.
Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand is under pressure, with his team also in danger of missing out on Champions League soccer next season. Yet, his players became more aggressive after the break.
Nathan Tella tested Bayern’s Manuel Neuer with a low drive in the 52nd minute, but the keeper did well to palm it wide. The visitor, however, struck in stoppage time through Diaz to punch its ticket to the final. Bayern will face the winner of Thursday’s semifinal between VfB Stuttgart and Freiburg.
“Since my first day at the club they have been talking about going back to Berlin, and the fact that we can bring them back there is a big thing for the club,” said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.
“It feels like we don’t have time to enjoy this success, because we keep thinking of the next matches. But what matters is we are still in every competition.”
‘World Cup dream’ over
Germany forward Gnabry has ruled himself out of the World Cup after tearing a muscle in his right thigh while training with Bayern Munich.
Bayern said on Saturday that Gnabry had torn the adductor muscle in his thigh and would be out “for a longer period” without giving any further details.
On Wednesday, the player confirmed on Instagram that he’ll miss the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States in June.
“The last few days have been tough to process. A Bayern season which still holds much to play for after securing another Bundesliga title on the weekend,” Gnabry wrote. “As for the World Cup dream with Germany, that’s sadly over for me.
“Like the rest of the country, I’ll be supporting the boys from home. Now, it’s time to focus on recovery and getting back for preseason. Thank you for all the messages.”
Gnabry has contributed eight goals to Bayern’s record-breaking Bundesliga goal tally this season, and he has set up seven more.
He started every World Cup qualifier for Germany and two friendlies in March, and was sure to have been included in coach Julian Nagelsmann’s plans for the summer.
Germany faces Curacao, Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador in Group E.
