2022/23 Bundesliga title race: Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund to Meisterschale on dramatic final day
Bayern Munich successfully defended their Bundesliga title, edging out Borussia Dortmund on just goal-difference thanks to Jamal Musiala's late winner on Matchday 34.
Starting the day two points back from Dortmund, Bayern needed their title rivals to slip at home and claim all three points in Cologne. They were given the perfect start as Kingsley Coman superbly curled them in front after eight minutes and, as word spread of Dortmund trailing early on, Bayern fans were jubilant as their team looked good to retain their title. Leroy Sane had a second ruled out shortly before the break, with Bayern cruising to the trophy at the halfway stage. But Dejan Ljubicic's 81st-minute penalty put the cat amongst the pigeons and swung the title back in Dortmund's favour. Bayern weren't to be denied, though, with Musiala popping up with just a minute to play - sending Bayern's fans delirious in the process.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Spokesperson of the DFL Executive Committee: “Congratulations to FC Bayern München on winning the Bundesliga title. I would like to commend the entire organisation, including the coaching staff and the team, on successfully defending the title after a highly exciting season.”
Dortmund had the title in their hands at the Signal Iduna Park on Matchday 34 but Mainz were quick to settle into their role as party poopers. The visitors took the lead after 15 minutes as Andreas Hanche-Olsen squeezed home from close range, but Dortmund had a near immediate chance to pull themselves level from the spot. Sebastien Haller, though, saw his penalty kick saved by Finn Dahmen and when Karim Onisiwo made it 2-0 soon after, the hosts were seeing their title hopes vanish right in front of them. Raphaël Guerreiro pulled one back in the second half to give Dortmund hope and Niklas Süle equalised deep into injury-time but it was too little, too late.
Borussia Dortmund's players were left heartbroken at the final whistle. - Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images
Friendly 2022/23 title race 2022/23 title race Matchday 34
Bayern sneak home on final day
Well, it was as tense as we expected. Starting the day two points back from Dortmund, Bayern had to win and they duly delivered thanks to Musiala's 89th-minute effort. As for Dortmund, they managed to get back to 2-2 and thought they were champions when Cologne levelled against the men from Munich, but they came up just short. Now, we can all breathe.
Well, it was about as dramatic as it gets on the final day of the season. Dortmund had the title in their hands but they've thrown it away after managing just a 2-2 draw with Mainz. Bayern retain their title thanks to Musiala's late goal, which seals the championship by the barest of margins thanks to their superior goal difference. Dortmund players are distraught, Bayern's are jubilant.
Haller thinks he's finally got his goal but it's ruled out for offside. The title looks to be staying in Munich.
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+ 1
Five minutes added on
Dortmund have five minutes to rescue their title hopes.
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Bayern back in front
He's been on the pitch just four minutes but Musiala may well have just won the title for his side. Bayern are ahead and leapfrog Dortmund. We're now in injury-time, with five minutes added on in Cologne. Dortmund need two goals.
Surely there is at least another Dortmund goal coming. This time Haller takes aim but Dahmen, who has been superb today, is up to the task.
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Over from Reus!
Another big chance at the back post as Reus heads towards goal but he can only send the ball over. Dortmund are throwing everything at Mainz now. We could be in for some serious drama if they get another one back soon.
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Double Bayern change
Tuchel brings on added experience in the shape of Goretzka and Choupo-Moting. A thoroughly professional job being done by Bayern currently.
There are changes in both games, with Cancelo on for Müller to sure things up for Bayern. In Dortmund, teenager Duranville makes his debut and Reyna replaces Malen. Time running out for Dortmund.
... puts it wide! The Dortmund striker sneaks in at the back post and has an empty net to tap into but he's put off by a jumping colleague in front of him and can only poke wide. Big, big chance goes begging.
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No way through for Dortmund
It's hard to see Dortmund scoring one goal, let alone three at the minute. They're huffing and puffing but lacking real quality in the final third. Mainz look the far more threatening side whenever they make forays forward and they almost have a third as Onisiwo strikes the post.
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Moukoko on at the break
Young striker Moukoko has replaced Wolf at the break which will mean a slight reshuffle for Dortmund. They have to go for it, and Moukoko will be desperate to help inspire what would be a remarkable turnaround.
The whistle goes in Cologne, where Bayern are 1-0 up and headed for the title. In Dortmund, the hosts go into the break requiring a huge turnaround. They need to score at least three times to become champions.
Half-time
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Goal disallowed
VAR intervenes and Bayern's second is ruled out for a handball in the build-up. It remains 1-0.
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Bayern double their lead
Sane races through and applies a lovely finish to make it 2-0 Bayern. Or does he...
As it stands, Kingsley Coman (r.) has Bayern headed to the title once again and the defending champions do look comfortable in Cologne. Dortmund, meanwhile, are struggling to find a way back in the game.
Things have gone from bad to worse for Dortmund. Their defence is left exposed and Karim Onisiwo pops up to add a second for Mainz. Can BVB salvage anything from this or are their title hopes already over?
Kingsley Coman cuts inside from the left and lets fly a beauty to make it 1-0 Bayern, With Dortmund currently 0-0 against Mainz, Bayern are top on goal-difference.
Both Dortmund and Bayern have been lively enough so far, while Cologne have also had an early sighter. It's as tense as we expected.
Kick-off!
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Dortmund underway
BVB have also started, just a nudge later than Bayern. Here we go...
Off we go
Bayern are up and running in Cologne. No turning back now!
Watch: BVBees take over in Dortmund
Does this mean something?
Five minutes to go!
Here we go, it all comes down to this. Strap yourselves in as things may get bumpy...
0:21
Watch: Take a sneak peek into Bayern's dressing room
Familiar faces behind BVB
As you can see below, there are some very interested parties watching from afar today. Kagawa, of course, was part of the BVB side that won the title last, while Haaland played with the majority of this same side last season.
More on those teams
In Cologne, Joao Cancelo, Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala drop to the Bayern bench. That means Dayot Upamecano, Ryan Gravenberch and Leroy Sane all come in. As for Dortmund, they have Jude Bellingham among the substitutes following injury, with Raphaël Guerreiro continuing in midfield. Otherwise, BVB are very much as you'd expect.
Sommer - Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Mazraoui - Kimmich, Gravenberch - Sane, Müller (c), Coman - Gnabry
0:30
Watch: Stage is set at the Signal Iduna Park
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Watch: Dortmund fans out in force
Terzic vs. Tuchel
The two teams' social media admins are clearly up and about, with rallying calls sent out to the world already this morning. Two men who will be rallying the troops later are Terzic and Tuchel. Both are looking for their first Bundesliga titles, in what would be statement league wins for their respective tenures.
Take a look at how the final day played out in a FIFA 23 simulation...
Set the alarms
As we begin to settle in for a day high on drama, it's worth doing a little housekeeping. Team news will drop at approximately 2.30pm CEST, an hour prior to our 3.30pm kick-off. We'll be here to take you through all the action as we see how the chips fall and, if you're in the Bundesliga App, you can click the little alarm bell to turn on notifications and not miss a kick of any of today's games.
Can Dortmund cope with the pressure?
On paper, the task is straightforward for Dortmund; beat Mainz, win the title. But how will they cope with the pressure, one Bayern are far more accustomed to dealing with? And that pressure has been ramped up this week with a title parade already planned and the mayor stating: “We’re assuming the team won’t let it slip on Saturday.” Bayern will be hoping their rivals are somewhat jumping the gun.
Here. We. Go.
It's D-Day in the title race, with one of Dortmund or Bayern to later be crowned 2022/23 Bundesliga champions. Strap yourselves in, this will be quite the ride...
Watch: The most exciting title conclusions of all time
Neck and neck at the very end of 2022/23, Dortmund and Bayern are not the first teams to take the Bundesliga title race right to the wire. Could we be in for yet more historic drama this year?
3:47
Watch: Analysing the top two's attacks
Two title-chasing teams in search of a final matchday win – which, of course, can only be achieved by scoring goals. Ahead of the deciding shootout on the last weekend of the season, we can analyse the contenders’ comparative attacking strengths on current form.
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Watch: The 2022/23 title race so far
Check out a visual of how Dortmund and Bayern have swapped positions in the Bundesliga table this season ahead of the decisive fixtures on Matchday 34.
All the title action in one place
It's up to you how you follow the title race on Saturday. You can choose to follow our individual Dortmund and Bayern blogs as they take on Mainz and Cologne respectively, or you can keep across all the thrills and spills from both games in one place through this live blog.
A final day battle for the title!
Welcome along to coverage of the final matchday of the 2022/23 Bundesliga season as Borussia Dortmund look to hold off Bayern Munich and claim a sixth Bundesliga crown at the expense of the 10-time defending champions.
