Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Bayern Munich pip Borussia Dortmund to Bundesliga title on incredible final day

sportsmole.co.uk, 27 May 2023, 15:29
Bayern Munich have won the Bundesliga title for a record-extending 11th successive year following a incredibly dramatic and topsy-turvy final day which saw them leapfrog rivals Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table with an 89th-minute winner over Koln.

Dortmund went into the final game with a two-point lead over the 10-time defending champions and knowing that victory at home to mid-table Mainz 05, or Bayern failing to beat Koln, would secure a first top-flight title since 2011-12.

However, anything less than victory would have opened the door for Bayern Munich due to Bayern's superior goal difference, and Dortmund suffered a disastrous first-half collapse which ultimately proved to be too big a mountain to climb.

There was remarkable late drama in both games, with Koln equalising against Bayern in the 80th minute before Jamal Musiala came off the bench to score what proved to be a 89th-minute title-winning goal, although Dortmund took it down to the wire with a 95th-minute equaliser in their match which left them needing one more goal with seconds remaining.

However, their 2-2 draw saw them finish level on points with Bayern but second on goal difference, with Bayern celebrating an unprecedented 11th successive title triumph despite one of their worst seasons in recent memory.

With the Westfalenstadion bathed in sunshine and the yellow wall in typically good voice, Dortmund were heavily fancied to end Bayern's decade of dominance ahead of kickoff, having moved above the perennial champions on the penultimate matchday.

However, a nightmare first half which saw them miss a penalty and concede twice, as well as Bayern taking the lead against Koln, ultimately proved too much for them to overcome as they became only the sixth team in Bundesliga history to surrender top spot on the final day.

For their part, Bayern knew that only a win would put them in contention for yet another title, and they applied the pressure early on through Kingsley Coman's thumping well-placed finish after only eight minutes of their game at Koln.

That goal would not have raised too much alarm in Dortmund initially, despite taking Bayern top on goal difference, but just seven minutes later Dortmund fell behind to leave them with a mountain to suddenly climb.

Andreas Hanche-Olsen gave Mainz the lead after 15 minutes of that match, and the Dortmund despair deepened shortly afterwards when they were awarded a penalty which Sebastien Haller - whose inspirational return from cancer to help fire BVB to the brink of the title had provided surely the story of the season - saw saved by Finn Dahmen.

Things got even worse for Edin Terzic's side five minutes after that too, with Karim Onisiwo squeezing his header over the line despite the best efforts of Gregor Kobel, who could only turn it against the inside of the post.

All of that meant that, after only 25 minutes of the final day, Dortmund needed three goals without reply as long as Bayern protected their lead against Koln.

A slither of good news finally arrived for BVB when Bayern saw a second goal chalked off by VAR just before half time for a handball in the build-up, but Dortmund still needed three goals of their own and the opening 15 minutes of the second half saw them fail to offer many signs of producing the comeback.

However, they then began to lay siege to the Mainz goal and finally made the breakthrough when Raphael Guerreiro exchanged passes with Giovanni Reyna before firing a low strike into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

Dortmund continued to knock on the door, creating chance after chance but somehow failing to grab a second, with stalwarts Marco Reus and Mats Hummels coming particularly agonisingly close.

Another unexpected twist was to come at the RheinEnergieStadion, though, as 10 minutes from the end of time in that match Koln were dramatically awarded a penalty which Dejan Ljubicic converted past Yann Sommer to suddenly send Dortmund back to the top of the pile.

News of that goal sparked scenes of celebration inside the Westfalenstadion, but those cheers were soon silenced when more news filtered through of a Bayern goal in the 89th minute.

Musiala was the title-winning hero for Bayern, coming off the bench just four minutes before firing the all-important goal into the bottom corner as Bayern ensured that they held up their end of the bargain in nail-biting fashion.

Dortmund were subsequently left needing two more goals in five minutes of injury time and, after Haller saw one ruled out for offside, Niklas Sule fire home an equaliser on the day right at the end of the allotted period.

However, it proved to be too little too late as the hosts could not find the most incredible of winners in the remaining seconds, leaving Dortmund distraught and Bayern celebrating a 33rd Bundesliga title.

At the other end of the table, Schalke 04 suffered relegation to 2.Bundesliga courtesy of their 4-2 defeat at RB Leipzig, while VfL Bochum's 3-0 triumph over 10-man Bayer Leverkusen lifted them out of the relegation playoff spot, which was instead filled by Stuttgart.

Top News

20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a first major trophy since 1963, Atalanta BC will try to conquer 'invincible' German champions Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's Europa League final, which takes place in Dublin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr have reportedly expressed an interest in signing an out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur defender this summer. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An exhilarating and captivating 2023-24 Premier League campaign has come to a close and Manchester City have been crowned champions for an unprecedented fourth season in a row, finishing two points clear of their nearest challengers Arsenal in second place. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still undefeated this season, Bayer Leverkusen can complete the second leg of a memorable treble by emerging victorious in Dublin this week, as they take on Atalanta BC for the right to be crowned Europa League champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A talented youthful striker apparently wanted by Arsenal is now believed to be the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot as their new head coach to replace Jurgen Klopp. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following 51 games without defeat, Bayer Leverkusen put their unbeaten record on the line in Wednesday's Europa League final, when Atalanta BC attempt to finally halt the German champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe may reportedly not be involved in the Coupe de France final. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly set an asking price for one of their more experienced players ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has expressed his pride after winning a second successive Premier League Golden Boot. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia's preliminary squad for Euro 2024 has been named by head coach Dragan Stojkovic, who has called upon an initial 35 players for the national team training camp before their flight to Germany. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United are reportedly set to announce the appointment of David Moyes's successor as manager 'later this week'. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brasileirao Serie A side Corinthians take on Serie D America de Natal in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil third round at the Neo Quimica Arena on Thursday morning. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has issued a fresh update on the futures of in-demand trio Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Bayern Munich are reportedly among a number of clubs interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg centre-back Oumar Solet. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has claimed that Arsenal lacked the 'mentality' to win the Premier League title and has criticised the Gunners for not wanting to beat them at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ADO Den Haag and SBV Excelsior will be looking to boost their chances of playing Eredivisie football next season when they square off in the first leg of their playoff semi-final on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final chapter has closed on a captivating 2023-24 Premier League season, one which saw Manchester City earn another slice of English football history as the first team to win four Premier League titles on the spin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final chapter has closed on a captivating 2023-24 Premier League season, one which saw Manchester City earn another slice of English football history as the first team to win four Premier League titles on the spin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa may reportedly be prepared to be creative in a bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made the decision to part ways with Ryan Sessegnon on a free transfer. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly decided on an asking price for winger Jadon Sancho ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England Under-17s manager Greg Lincoln has named his 21-man squad for the upcoming European Championships in Cyprus, with the inclusion of two highly-rated North London products. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk No coronavirus-enforced stoppages. No matches behind closed doors. No schedule-conflicting World Cup breaks over the Christmas period. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Botafogo can qualify for the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil for a third successive campaign with a win or draw in the second leg of their third-round tie against Vitoria on Wednesday at Estadio Manoel Barradas. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides in early relegation danger in their respective domestic competitions will be seeking a place in the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil as Atletico Goianiense welcome Brusque to Estadio Antonio Accioly on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Needing at least a two-goal victory to have any hope of advancing beyond the third round of the Copa do Brasil, Sampaio Correa face a tall task when they head to the Maracana on Wednesday to battle Fluminense. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Salernitana vs. Hellas Verona (Monday, 5.30pm) Hellas Verona travel to rock-bottom Salernitana on Monday evening, hoping to secure their Serie A status for another season. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Tuesday, England Under-17s will kick off the European Under-17 Championship with a tricky game against last year's runners-up France Under-17s.