Bayern Munich defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to clinch the DFB Pokal

Bayern Munich celebrate after they won the DFB Pokal

German champions Bayern Munich retained their DFB Pokal crown and achieved their second successive German double, as they defeated arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final in Berlin.

Strikes from Robben and Muller late in extra time sealed the victory on a rain submerged night.

The match kicked-off with a fantastic atmosphere inside the massive Olypiastadion and just 4 minutes into the game the first chance fell to Bayern as Muller collected a through ball from Robben and let rip a bullet shot which crashed into Weidenfeller’s face and was deflected away.

Just minutes later, Bayern spurned another great chance to take the lead as Robben’s effort went straight into the arms of Weidenfeller . Bayern repeatedly attacked Dortmund’s defence, but a tireless and resolute Dortmund defence managed to prevent Bayern from going ahead.

Captain Philip Lahm limped off midway through the first half, straining his heel and was replaced by French international Frank Ribery, who made his presence felt by testing Dortmund’s defence repeatedly.

Dortmund pushed hard to find the breakthrough and were occasionally able to break upfield without leaving any gaps.
Both the sides though were unable to find the net in the first half as it ended 0-0.

Bayern started the 2nd period just as they did the 1st- keen to hold onto possession. The scenario was the same with both sides making desperate attempts. However, ambiguity arose among the Dortmund players when Dante cleared Hummels’ nod off the goal-line as the linesmen didn’t flag for a goal.

The game was tightly balanced as the score remained nil-nil at the full-time whistle.

Just when the prospect of a penalty shoot-out loomed, Dutch winger Arjen Robben broke the deadlock in the 107th minute when Boateng whipped a cross to the Dutchman who neatly tapped it in past a hapless Roman Weidenfeller, as he sprinted past the fences surrounding a pitch to celebrate in front of the supporters.

Dortmund, refused to give up, went all guns blazing in the dying stages in search of the equalizer but the defining moment of the match came in stoppage time when Muller ran the length of the Dortmund half and slotted home from a tight angle to seal a second successive DFB Pokal title for Bayern.