Soccer-Bayern thump Union Berlin as Mueller marks milestone with double


Soccer Football - Bundesliga - 1. FC Union Berlin v Bayern Munich - Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, Berlin, Germany - April 20, 2024 Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller and Harry Kane celebrate after the match REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

BERLIN (Reuters) -Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller scored twice on his 400th Bundesliga start and Harry Kane bagged his 33rd league goal of the season in a 5-1 victory at Union Berlin on Saturday.

Leon Goretzka and 18-year-old Mathys Tel were also on target as coach Thomas Tuchel capped a successful week with a Champions League semi-final place and a comfortable win on the road.

Second-placed Bayern ceded the title to Bayer Leverkusen last week but have moved to 66 points from 30 matches, three points clear of VfB Stuttgart who visit Werder Bremen on Sunday.

"We're pleased. It has been a perfect week for us," Tuchel said. "Coming here and winning like this certainly wasn't a given, so well done to the lads. It was a team performance in a tough game."

Bayern led on the half-hour when Tel's pass into the box was left by Mueller and Goretzka thumped in a shot off the underside of the bar against relegation-threatened Union.

Kane scored the second with a 30-metre free-kick and it was more of the same in the second half as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's cross was rifled into the net by Mueller.

Teenager Tel finished from Kane’s pass just past the hour mark before a rampant Bayern added a fifth through Mueller. Yorbe Vertessen scored a late consolation for the home side who are three points above the relegation playoff spot.

RB Leipzig moved three points clear in the fourth Champions League qualifying place with a 2-1 win at Heidenheim, though they have played a game more than fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, who host champions Leverkusen on Sunday.

Lois Openda’s 23rd goal of the campaign five minutes from the end secured the win for Leipzig.

Bottom side Darmstadt ended a 22-game winless streak as they secured a 2-0 away victory at second-bottom Cologne.

Christoph Klarer and Oscar Vilhelmsson scored second half goals to leave Darmstadt nine points off the relegation playoff position with four games left.

Jonas Wind’s first Bundesliga goal since November secured a 1-0 victory for Wolfsburg over Bochum to move his side five points clear of the relegation playoff spot.

Robin Hack got a hat-trick for Borussia Moenchengladbach but still ended up on the losing side as Hoffenheim edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3 after Anton Stach scored an added-time winner.

(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Football

Soccer-Celik sees red as Roma lose at Cagliari
Soccer-Rutter rescues point for Brighton with late equaliser against West Ham
Soccer-Gyokeres urges Arsenal to bounce back after Villa end unbeaten run
Soccer-Wissa delighted with long-awaited Newcastle debut
Soccer-Chelsea's Maresca says Delap shoulder injury looks bad
Soccer-Late Berenguer goal gives Bilbao 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid
Soccer-Messi's double assist inspires Inter Miami to maiden MLS Cup title
Soccer-Salah future in doubt as he slams Liverpool for 'throwing him under the bus'
Soccer-FIFA apologises to Argentina coach over World Cup trophy gloves rule
Soccer-Tanaka the talisman as Leeds roar back to draw with Liverpool

Others Also Read