The “curse” has been lifted. Harry Kane can lastly have fun his first career title after Bayern Munich grew to become Bundesliga champion with a bit assist from Freiburg on Sunday (May 4, 2025).
Freiburg drew with second-placed Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 to go away Bayern an unassailable eight factors away from the 2024 champion with two rounds of the German league remaining.
The 31-year-old Kane had by no means gained a title in a career of runner-up finishes and defeats in finals with Bayern, Tottenham and England, main some to converse of a “curse” towards a participant thought-about one of many world’s greatest forwards.
Kane’s arrival as Bayern’s file signing in 2023 was adopted by the membership’s first trophyless season since 2012.
Kane was prepared to have fun Saturday when Bayern regarded set to win 3-2 in Leipzig. But Yussuf Poulsen equalized with the final kick of the sport for Leipzig to draw 3-3 and postpone Bayern’s occasion.
“Next week, Harry!” teammate Thomas Müller wrote on Instagram. He did not have to wait that lengthy.
Leverkusen performed with out conviction in Freiburg, understanding that second place was already secured and that it solely had a mathematical probability of defending its title with Bayern having a far superior aim distinction.
Maximilian Eggestein fired the house crew forward earlier than the break and an own-goal from Piero Hincapie after it put Freiburg firmly in management.
Leverkusen had to wait until the 82nd minute for Florian Wirtz to pull one again together with his crew’s first shot on the right track. Jonathan Tah equalized with the subsequent in stoppage time, but it surely made no distinction for the brand new league champion.
“We are the champions!” Kane sang with teammates in a Munich restaurant, where he and Joshua Kimmich were doused in beer or champagne as they sang Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.”
It’s Bayern’s record-extending 34th German championship including the first for the club in 1932. Every other title came after the Bundesliga’s formation in 1963.
Bayern will be presented with the trophy after its home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach next weekend, when Müller will be given what’s sure to be an emotional send-off after 25 years at the club.
“He’s going as a legend,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said of Müller’s 13 Bundesliga titles.
Champions League fight heats up
Freiburg’s draw kept it fourth in the final place for Champions League qualification, just a point ahead of a resurgent Borussia Dortmund and two ahead of Leipzig.
Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt stayed four points clear of Freiburg with a 1-1 draw at Mainz in the late game.
Only the top four teams qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.
Earlier, Holstein Kiel boosted its hopes of avoiding the drop with a 3-1 win at Augsburg. It moved Kiel one point behind Heidenheim, which occupies the relegation playoff place. Kiel next plays Freiburg, then Dortmund.
Published – May 05, 2025 11:00 am IST
