Harry Kane struck twice as Bayern Munich set a new European record of 14 consecutive wins to start a season with a 4-1 victory at Cologne in the German Cup second round on Wednesday.
Kane’s stunning curling opener and a second-half header took his tally to 22 goals in 14 games this season. Luis Díaz and Michael Olise also scored for the 20-time German Cup winners.
Ragnar Ache had earlier put Cologne ahead, the first time Bayern have trailed in a match this season.
Bayern’s run surpasses the previous record of 13 straight wins to open a campaign, set by Fabio Capello’s AC Milan in 1992–93 — the best mark in Europe’s top five leagues.
The in-form England captain has now scored two hat-tricks and six braces during Bayern’s record-breaking start, failing to find the net in only two matches.
Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen struck twice in stoppage time of extra time to beat 10-man Paderborn 4-2, avoiding a penalty shootout. Ibrahim Maza, 19, restored Leverkusen’s lead before Aleix García sealed the win as Paderborn pushed for an equaliser.
Earlier, Alejandro Grimaldo’s fourth free-kick goal of the season was cancelled out by Stefano Marino’s last-minute equaliser, before Sven Michel put Paderborn ahead in extra time. Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah levelled before Leverkusen’s late surge.
Cup holders Stuttgart also advanced, winning 2-0 at Mainz through goals from Luca Jaquez and captain Atakan Karazor.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius endured a torrid night as his Schalke side were crushed 4-0 by Darmstadt in a second-division clash.
Freiburg, Magdeburg, and Kaiserslautern also progressed, joining Borussia Dortmund, Hertha Berlin, RB Leipzig, Hamburg, St. Pauli, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Holstein Kiel, and Bochum in the last 16.
AFP
