Bayern Munich began the 2025/26 season with silverware on Saturday, defeating VfB Stuttgart 2-1 away to claim the German Super Cup for a record 10th time.
The annual curtain-raiser — renamed this year in honour of Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away in 2024 — pitted Bundesliga champions Bayern against DFB-Pokal holders Stuttgart before a packed 60,000 crowd at the MHPArena.
Kane strikes again
A year into his Bayern adventure, Harry Kane once more provided the breakthrough, after 18 minutes, Michael Olise curled a clever ball into the box which deflected kindly off Stuttgart defender Luca Jaquez, off balance but composed, Kane swept a low finish into the far corner — his 86th goal in 97 appearances for the German champions.
Olise, lively throughout, also went close himself, heading narrowly over just before half-time.
Kane later forced a fine stop from Fabian Bredlow with a powerful strike early in the second half.
Díaz tribute seals it
Stuttgart pressed hard for an equaliser, with new Germany international Nick Woltemade spurning their best chance when he headed over from close range.
Moments later, Manuel Neuer kept Bayern ahead with a superb reflex save to deny Jamie Leweling’s deflected effort.
Bayern hit back on the counter in the 77th minute when Serge Gnabry whipped in a cross, and Luis Díaz climbed highest to nod home from close range.
The Colombian marked the goal with a heartfelt celebration — sitting by the corner flag in tribute to his former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car accident in July.
Stuttgart grabbed a consolation in stoppage time when Jamie Leweling headed past Neuer, but it was too little, too late as Bayern lifted the trophy once more.
Transfer subplot
The build-up to the game had been dominated by Bayern’s pursuit of Stuttgart star Nick Woltemade, with reports of multiple bids rejected.
Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle publicly ruled out a sale before kick-off, and Bayern’s defenders made sure the towering striker had little joy on the night.
What’s next
For Kane, now 32, it marked just the second major team trophy of his career, having broken his long wait for silverware with last season’s Bundesliga triumph.
Bayern’s focus now turns to their league opener at home against RB Leipzig on Friday, while Stuttgart travel to Union Berlin the following day.