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Musiala's Hat-Trick Propels Bayern Munich Into German Cup Last 16
Jamal Musiala's dazzling performance, highlighted by a first-half hat-trick, guided Bayern Munich to a commanding 4-0 victory over Mainz in the German Cup, securing their place in the tournament's last 16. The 21-year-old midfielder showcased his scoring touch early on and maintained an electric pace throughout the first half.
Musiala opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, capitalizing on an assist from Harry Kane, who found him 10 meters out for a well-placed shot. Musiala's second goal came soon after, as he tapped in a rebound from another Kane header. Though replays suggested Musiala may have been in an offside position, the lack of VAR until the Cup's later stages meant the goal stood.
Adding to Bayern's lead, Leroy Sane struck in the waning moments of the first half, and Musiala completed his hat-trick just before halftime by slotting a loose ball into the net. His three goals in one half not only underscored his emerging talent but also propelled Bayern to a rare early-round success in a competition where they’ve stumbled in recent years, including last season’s shock exit to third-division Saarbrücken.
Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite playing a man down after Arthur Theate's red card just 15 minutes in, Frankfurt held firm. Hugo Ekitike scored first, followed by a Gladbach equalizer from Ko Itakura early in the second half. But Frankfurt’s in-form striker, Omar Marmoush, restored the lead with his 11th goal of the season, celebrating with a Halloween mask in lighthearted post-match fashion.
The Cup action also saw third-division Arminia Bielefeld pull off an upset against Union Berlin, winning 2-0 at home. Freiburg overcame Hamburg 2-1 with goals from Matthias Ginter and Vincenzo Grifo. Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen, and Hoffenheim also advanced, while Borussia Dortmund suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg in extra time on Tuesday.
With teams vying for a spot in the quarterfinals, Bayern Munich’s dominant form positions them as favorites, but as recent seasons have shown, the German Cup often holds unexpected twists.
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