Kingsley Coman on Wednesday spared teammate Mats Hummels’ blushes with an extra-time winner as Bayern Munich stumbled into the DFB Pokal quarter-finals with a 3-2 win at Hertha BSC.
Hummels’ defensive mistake had gifted Hertha an equalizer in the second half of normal time, but Coman’s header ensured that Bayern huffed and puffed their way into the last eight of the competition.
Hertha took the lead with a brutal counterattack after just three minutes, Maximilian Mittelstaedt stroking the ball past Sven Ulreich, in Bayern’s goal for the injured Manuel Neuer.
Photo: Reuters
Bayern hit back almost immediately through Serge Gnabry, who pounced on a loose ball and smashed in the equalizer on the half-volley.
Gnabry then put Bayern ahead just after halftime, surging into the penalty area and slotting the ball inside the far post.
Yet Hummels’ howler brought Hertha back into the game on 67 minutes.
The Bayern defender’s weak header allowed Davie Selke to dart in and prod the hosts level.
Hummels continued to look unsettled and he would have been mightily relieved when Coman nodded in the winner eight minutes into extra-time.
“Their second goal was unnecessary, but we all make mistakes from time to time,” Gnabry told ARD. “It’s always tough in the cup and we are proud to be through.”
Meanwhile, Schalke 04 cruised into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 home win over Fortuna Duesseldorf on an emotional evening for the hosts.
The game kicked off amid a sombre atmosphere in the wake of news that Schalke’s legendary, cigar-smoking former general manager Rudi Assauer had died aged 74.
“Rudi was the architect of modern Schalke. Without him, we wouldn’t be standing in this arena,” Schalke chairman Clemens Tonnies said.
The mood was lightened on the half-hour mark when Ahmed Kutucu curled the ball into the top corner to give Schalke the lead.
Their second came from a corner just after halftime. Winston McKennie forced a good save from Jaroslav Drobny before Salif Sane pounced on the rebound.
Mark Uth added a third from close range on 53 minutes.
Rouwen Hennings then chipped in a consolation goal for Duesseldorf, before Sane sealed the win late on.
Earlier on Wednesday, 19-year-old Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha made history with his first-half winner as RB Leipzig beat VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Augsburg also progressed after a smash-and-grab 1-0 victory away to second-tier Holstein Kiel.
Kiel were left to rue an array of missed chances five minutes from time, when Michael Gregoritsch found the net against the run of play to send Augsburg into the quarter-finals.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely