News (engl.)

FC Bayern München have added the DFB-Pokal to their haul of trophies this season after also clinching the 2024/2025 German league title and in doing so have secured their first domestic double in club history. In the final of the 45th edition of the Women’s DFB-Pokal, a hat-trick from Germany international Lea Schüller sent FC Bayern on their way to winning the competition for the second time after previously picking up the honour in 2012. This time around, they defeated SV Werder Bremen 4-2 at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion in Cologne. Goals from Schüller (6’) and Carolin Simon (30’) saw Bayern go two ahead before Rieke Dieckmann got one back on the stroke of half time (45+2’). Schüller netted her second and third strikes (64’, 79’) to make sure of victory and render Larissa Mühlhaus’s goal with the final kick of the game nothing more than a consolation (90+3’).

The Munich-based team controlled proceedings from the off in front of 45,146 fans, although Bremen were nonetheless courageous with their press. However, the German league champions found their first goal after no time at all regardless. Giulia Gwinn surged down the wing before hitting the crossbar with her effort, but Schüller was on hand to head the rebound into an unguarded side of the net. Werder did not let their heads drop and, if their luck had been in, might have drawn level following a lapse in concentration from Bayern keeper Ena Mahmutovic when dealing with a cross (10’). At the other end, Glodis Viggosdottir should have done better with her attempt when all alone on the end of a free-kick (13’).

Schüller had a major chance to double her and Bayern’s tally on 17 minutes when one-on-one with Livia Peng; however, the Bremen stopper showed impressive reactions to deny the striker. Werder continued to produce intermittent glimpses of attacking threat without fashioning any real clear-cut chances. Sophie Weidauer did nevertheless test Mahmutovic from distance (20’). The Green-Whites were then made to fret once more as Klara Bühl curled her effort just inches wide (22’). Only several minutes after that, though, Simon did find the back of the net following fine link-up play between Jovana Damnjanovic and Bühl, apply the finishing touch from the edge of the six-yard box (30’).

Dieckmann restores hope

FC Bayern rarely allowed SVW to venture outside their own half as the eventual winners knocked the ball around with confidence. Sydney Lohmann drew an eye-catching save from Peng, tipping her headed attempt over the bar (43’), before Pernille Harder sent a shot just wide of the far post from the resulting corner (44’). However, the Green-Whites were able to make things interesting once more right before the half-time whistle. Tuana Mahmoud did well down the right flank to cut the ball back for the oncoming Dieckmann, who steered home to halve the deficit. Bühl nearly provided the perfect, immediate response but directed her strike narrowly off target (45+3’).

The second period continued in similar vein, with Bayern dominating possession and Bremen looking to hit in transition. Bühl received the latest big chance after impressive play in the build-up from Sarah Zadrazil; however, she was ultimately halted in her tracks at the last moment by Werder captain Lina Hausicke (54’). Harder also allowed a very presentable opportunity to make it 3-1 go begging in the 62nd minute. Nonetheless, a third goal for Bayern did eventually arrive and again via the head of Schüller, this time following Tuva Hansen’s delivery into the box (64’).

Schüller seals her hat-trick

Bremen still failed to create any real concern for a well-organised Bayern back line across the remainder of proceedings, despite their continually energetic display. It was instead the German league champions who piled on more pressure with both Harder (69’) and Dallmann (77’) forcing Peng into further saves.

Ultimately, it was another Schüller strike that would put the rubber stamp on the result, clinching her hat-trick with a finely-placed finish after being set up once again by Hansen (79’). Mühlhaus was able to find a second consolation goal for Werder with the last kick of the game, via a direct free-kick (90+3’).