Diaz bags hat-trick as Bayern thump 10-man Hoffenheim
| Bayern's goals were shared between Harry Kane and Luis Diaz. | Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images |
Luis Diaz's hat-trick helped Bayern Munich cruise to a 5-1 win over TSG Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena on Sunday evening.
The first penalty came in the 17th minute after Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma was sent off for pulling down Luis Diaz in the box. Kane calmly converted to give the Bavarians an early lead.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Hoffenheim stayed in the game and eventually equalised in the 35th minute. Manuel Neuer’s pass was intercepted by Fisnik Asllani, who laid the ball across for Andrej Kramaric to slot home.
Bayern responded quickly and regained the lead before halftime, with Kane converting his second penalty after Vladimir Coufal pulled down Diaz in the penalty area.
The hosts then went on to score again just before the break as Kane surged forward on a counterattack and found Diaz, who slotted the ball past Oliver Baumann.
After the break, Kane came close to completing his hat-trick, but Baumann produced a superb save from his header in the 50th minute – one of several outstanding stops by the Hoffenheim goalkeeper.
Bayern extended their advantage in the 61st minute when Michael Olise delivered a precise cross for Diaz to finish a brilliant team move. Kane was denied again by Baumann, whose save bounced off the crossbar, before being substituted later in the match.
Bayern continued to press, and Diaz completed his hat-trick with a precise finish into the far corner towards the end of the match.
The 5-1 victory restores Bayern’s six-point lead over Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga, while Hoffenheim remain in third place.
