A late goal from Polish international Robert Lewandowski sealed a 1-0 victory for German champions Bayern Munich over Spanish giants Real Madrid in the final of the pre-season Audi Cup tournament in their home stadium on Wednesday.
Bayern and Real recorded impressive wins over AC Milan and Tottenham respectively at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, but it was the hosts who came out on top thanks to Lewandowski’s goal two minutes from time.
The former Dortmund striker — who scored in the 3-0 win over Milan the previous day — was set up by young Danish star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before firing past Real ‘keeper Keilor Navas in the 88th minute.
Bayern Munich won their third Audi Cup in four attempts
It handed titleholders Bayern their third Audi Cup triumph in four attempts since the tournament was launched in 2009.
The scoreline was very different from the last time Real visited the Allianz Arena with the La Liga giants running riot 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final second leg in April 2014.
That victory secured a thumping 5-0 aggregate win for Real as they went on to win a tenth European title in the final against city rivals Atletico.
Whilst this victory will be scant consolation for that Munich mauling from last year, it will at least give Pep Guardiola’s side a boost as they prepare for the defence of their Bundesliga title, beginning at home to Hamburg on Friday August 14.
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Real Madrid’s first match of the Spanish season is nine days later on Sunday, August 23 when they travel to Sporting Gijon.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nacer Chadli and Tom Carroll scored in either half in a 2-0 victory for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur against Italian giants AC Milan in the third-place play-off.
Here are the highlights of the game:
By AFP