19th May, 2018
Eintracht Frankfurt upset the odds to beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in an action-packed German Cup final. It’s the first time the Eagles have gotten their hands on silverware in a major tournament since 1988.
As Majit Gacinovic raced 80 yards, unopposed, towards an empty Bayern net, an entire stadium held its breath.
Moments earlier, Bayern had been awarded a corner despite calls for a penalty. It was too late to squabble as goalkeeper Sven Ulreich made the long journey to the opposition penalty area. It would prove to be a fatal move.
The corner was cleared, releasing Gacinovic on the egde of his area. Coretin Tolisso was skinned as the Frankfurt midfielder charged towards an empty half. The resulting finish was a remarkable feat of stamina and composure; a fitting end to a thrilling, bruising battle in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
Living up to the billing
This game had been built-up so much more than a mere cup final. In both dugouts, coaches were facing their final matches in charge. Jupp Heynckes bows out with a bitter defeat, while his successor, Nico Kovac, celebrates one last hurrah with his fearless underdogs.
Frankfurt took an early lead thanks to a spell of aggressive pressing, forcing the usually composed James Rodriguez into an uncharacteristic mistake. It wouldn’t be his last. The Colombian conceded posession in his own half, before Frankfurt midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng picked out Ante Rebic on the run. He slotted home expertly to give his side the lead.
Lewandowski fired Bayern level in the 53rd minute after Joshua Kimmich’s low cross found him in the penalty area. The Pole had enjoyed a frustrating evening until that point but rediscovered his scoring touch to drag his side back into the game.
Neither team let up. Bayern went close several times, with Lewandowski at the heart of the action on every occasion. Frankfurt refused to be cowed. Kovac’s men continued to press, hunting in packs in the hope of forcing a second error.
The plan worked. James again was at fault as the ball was turned over deep in the Frankfurt half. Danny da Costa’s first time ball over the top surprised everyone but Rebic, who controlled the ball and dinked it beyond a helpless Ulreich.
Wild end to affairs
The referee, complicit in an evening of wild entertainment, insisted on consulting the VAR in order to investigate a possible Boateng handball. It was deemed innocuous enough and the goal stood.
Frankfurt were on the verge of a first piece of silverware since 1988 when Javi Martinez was brought down in the area. The resulting protests were the first incident in a series which led to Gacinovic’s glorious gallop towards the empty Bayern net.
Frankfurt fans stormed the pitch to celebrate with their heroes, as Bayern players surrounded the referee. Their protests fell on deaf ears.
Dramatic to the bitter end: Frankfurt are German Cup champions.
-dw.com