Kane hat-trick powers Bayern to 5-1 win over Cologne in Bundesliga finale

MUNICH: Harry Kane struck a hat-trick as Bayern Munich ended their Bundesliga season in dominant fashion with a 5-1 home win over FC Cologne on Saturday.

Kane opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a volley before curling a free-kick through the wall just three minutes later to double Bayern’s lead. He completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute with a long-range strike, taking his league tally to 36 goals.

The England captain now has 98 goals in 94 Bundesliga appearances and has become the first player in league history to win the top scorer award in each of his first three seasons in Germany.

Said El Mala briefly pulled one back in the 18th minute, but Tom Bischof restored Bayern’s two-goal cushion soon after. Nicolas Jackson added a fifth late on to complete the rout.

Bayern finished the campaign on 89 points from 34 matches, scoring a record 122 goals, surpassing their previous best of 101 set in the 1971-72 season.

Michael Olise was named Bundesliga Player of the Season after registering 15 goals and 19 assists, later celebrating with teammates in traditional post-match scenes.

Midfielder Leon Goretzka lifted the Bundesliga trophy in what could be his final appearance after eight seasons at the club, with captain Manuel Neuer also featuring despite a minor calf issue.

Behind the champions, Borussia Dortmund finished second with 73 points after a 2-0 win at Werder Bremen. RB Leipzig placed third, while VfB Stuttgart secured fourth to complete the Champions League qualification spots.

TSG Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen booked Europa League places, while SC Freiburg clinched seventh and a Conference League berth.

At the bottom, FC Pauli and were relegated, while VfL Wolfsburg face a relegation playoff after finishing just above the drop zone.