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Harry Kane and Luis Diaz were on target as Bayern Munich secured a 2-1 victory over Stuttgart away from home on Saturday, claiming the German Super Cup for the 10th time.
This match, which marks the beginning of the German football season, featured the league and cup champions facing each other and was held for the first time since its renaming in honor of football icon Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away in 2024.
In their attacking partnership entering its second year, Michael Olise and Kane once again posed a significant threat, linking up for the initial goal 18 minutes into the match.
Off balance and tumbling, Kane gathered Olise’s pass and sent a low shot across the ground into the bottom corner, marking his 86th goal in 97 appearances for Bayern.
With a crowd of 60,000 cheering them on, Stuttgart pressed for an equalizer late in the second half. However, Bayern counter-attacked effectively, with Diaz scoring from close range with 13 minutes remaining.
After scoring, Diaz celebrated by sitting at the corner post, imitating the video-game-style celebration of his former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident in July.
Stuttgart managed to pull one back in stoppage time through Jamie Leweling. This victory provided Kane with his second team trophy, following his success in the Bundesliga last season.
The buildup to the match was overshadowed by transfer rumors regarding newly capped Germany striker Nick Woltemade, with Stuttgart allegedly rejecting multiple offers from Bayern. Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle dismissed talk of a potential transfer just prior to kickoff, but on the pitch, Bayern effectively neutralized Woltemade, curbing Stuttgart’s main attacking threat.
Olise played a crucial role in creating the first goal, sending a dangerous chip between Stuttgart’s two central defenders, which centre-back Luca Jaquez inadvertently redirected into Kane’s path for a clean finish.
Olise had another chance that went over the bar in the 38th minute, and Kane forced an excellent save from Fabian Bredlow midway through the second half. Stuttgart sought an equalizer as the match progressed; Woltemade came close with a header that went over the bar.
Bayern's veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a stunning save shortly thereafter, extending his arm to stop a shot from Leweling that took a late deflection.
Bayern sealed the victory in the 77th minute, with Diaz soaring to head in a cross from Gnabry past the helpless Bredlow. Leweling scored in stoppage time, but it proved insufficient as Bayern lifted the Super Cup for a record 10th time.
Bayern will kick off the Bundesliga season on Friday at home against Leipzig, while Stuttgart will play Union Berlin in the German capital the following day.
