Kane penalty and Diaz strike send Bayern into semis

Published: 12 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Harry Kane’s remarkable scoring form continued under the floodlights of the Allianz Arena as Bayern Munich powered into the German Cup semi-finals for the first time in six years, overcoming a determined RB Leipzig side in a match that blended tension, technical brilliance, and the unmistakable presence of a striker at the peak of his powers. On a night when margins were tight and opportunities rare, the England captain once again proved decisive, calmly dispatching a second-half penalty to tilt the contest in Bayern’s favour before former Liverpool winger Luis Diaz delivered the final flourish that sealed a hard-earned victory and sent the home supporters into celebration.

The tie began with Leipzig showing no intention of playing the role of spectators. Within four minutes they believed they had stunned the Bavarian giants when Christoph Baumgartner lashed the ball into the net, momentarily silencing the stadium. The celebrations, however, were cut short as a video assistant referee review confirmed an offside in the buildup, a decision that preserved parity but hinted at the visitors’ attacking threat. That early scare sharpened Bayern’s focus, and from that moment the match evolved into a gripping tactical duel in which Leipzig’s defensive resilience was tested repeatedly by waves of red-shirted pressure.

Bayern’s dominance of possession gradually translated into chances, though converting them proved far from straightforward. Goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt produced a series of sharp interventions that kept the scoreline level, denying Aleksandar Pavlovic with a reflex stop and frustrating Kane with a low save that drew applause even from sections of the home crowd appreciative of its quality. At one point, Kane seemed certain to score after slipping past his marker, only for Castello Lukeba to clear his effort off the line in a moment of desperate defending. Ridle Baku also contributed heroically, rising to head away a dangerous Joshua Kimmich corner as Leipzig clung stubbornly to the stalemate.

For all Bayern’s territorial control, the match retained a sense of fragility. Leipzig’s willingness to counter at speed ensured that the hosts could never relax, and every misplaced pass carried the threat of punishment. The tension in the arena reflected that balance, supporters sensing that a single breakthrough might decide the tie. It eventually arrived on 64 minutes, when Josip Stanisic burst into the penalty area and was brought down by Vandevoordt. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation, leaving Kane with the responsibility he has embraced so often throughout his career.

With the composure that has become his trademark, Kane stepped forward and drove the penalty beyond the goalkeeper, registering his sixth goal in four domestic cup matches and his 39th in 34 appearances for Bayern since his arrival. The strike not only underlined his extraordinary consistency but also placed him atop the scoring charts across Europe’s top five leagues, a statistic that reflects both his clinical finishing and his seamless adaptation to German football. Against Leipzig alone this season he has now scored five times, including a devastating hat-trick earlier in the campaign, evidence that this particular opponent has struggled to contain him.

The goal shifted the momentum decisively. Leipzig, forced to chase the game, pushed their lines higher in search of an equaliser, and that ambition created spaces Bayern were quick to exploit. Just four minutes after Kane’s opener, Michael Olise threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the defensive line, allowing Luis Diaz to race onto the ball and beat Willi Orban before finishing confidently for his 19th goal of the season. The Colombian’s strike effectively ended the contest, combining precision, pace, and composure in a sequence that encapsulated Bayern’s attacking depth.

For Bayern supporters, the victory carried significance beyond the result itself. The club’s absence from the German Cup semi-final stage in recent years had been viewed as an anomaly for a side accustomed to competing for every available trophy. Reaching the last four once again restores a sense of normality and reinforces the impression that this squad, strengthened by key signings and guided by a blend of experience and youthful energy, is capable of sustaining a serious challenge on multiple fronts. The Allianz Arena crowd responded with a standing ovation at the final whistle, recognising both the effort required and the quality displayed.

Kane’s influence in particular continues to shape Bayern’s season narrative. Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur, he has not merely scored goals but has also elevated the collective confidence of the team, offering a focal point in attack and a calming presence in decisive moments. His ability to convert pressure into productivity has made him indispensable, and nights like this serve as reminders of why he is widely regarded as one of the most complete forwards in modern football. The penalty that broke Leipzig’s resistance was taken with such assurance that it seemed almost inevitable from the instant he placed the ball on the spot.

Leipzig, despite the defeat, departed Munich with their reputation enhanced rather than diminished. Their disciplined defensive display, swift transitions, and early disallowed goal illustrated a side capable of troubling elite opposition. Had a few moments fallen differently, the outcome might have been less comfortable for the hosts. Yet knockout football often turns on fine details, and Bayern’s superior finishing ultimately proved decisive. The visitors’ challenge now is to translate this competitive spirit into future fixtures, knowing that performances of similar intensity can yield positive results against most opponents.

As Bayern advance to the semi-finals, anticipation builds over who they might face and whether this campaign could culminate in another domestic cup triumph. For Kane, Diaz, and their teammates, the objective remains clear: maintain momentum, sustain focus, and continue turning promising performances into tangible success. The journey is far from complete, but on this February evening in Munich, they took a significant step forward, driven by a striker in unstoppable form and a team increasingly confident in its pursuit of silverware.