Bayern downs Wolfsburg in Bundesliga five-goal thriller

Kingsley Coman (2nd L) of Bayern Munich shoots during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

BERLIN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich maintained lead at the top of the Bundesliga table after Leon Goretzka's brace secured a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday.

The Bavarians got into the matchup early, as Leroy Sane hit the crossbar and Harry Kane tested goalkeeper Kamil Grabara moments later.

Bayern's efforts were rewarded in the 20th minute when Goretzka raced through the Wolfsburg half before unleashing a 20-meter strike.

Wolfsburg equalized four minutes later when Mohamed Amoura capitalized on a failed clearance in the box to beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Bayern regained the lead in the 39th minute when Michael Olise caught Grabara flat-footed with a long-range shot.

Bayern thought they had doubled their lead in the dying minutes of the first half, but Joshua Kimmich's header was ruled out for handball.

After the restart, Bayern picked up where they had left off and Goretzka doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute when he nodded home Olise's pinpoint cross.

The visitor pulled one back in the 88th minute when Amoura beat Neuer at the far post.

With the win, Bayern led by four points over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while Wolfsburg remained seventh.

"I had a feeling before the game that it was going to be difficult. Wolfsburg developed very well and is always dangerous. I'm happy with the result, it's a positive start to the new year," said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.

Elsewhere, Leverkusen snatched a 3-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach. Stuttgart climbed back into the top four after a 4-0 win over Freiburg. Leipzig slipped to fifth after squandering a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw with bottom club Bochum. St. Pauli won 2-0 over Heidenheim, while Hoffenheim beat Holstein Kiel 3-1. ■

Kilian Fischer (L) of VfL Wolfsburg vies for the ball with Harry Kane of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Joakim Maehle (L) of VfL Wolfsburg challenges Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Kilian Fischer (L) of VfL Wolfsburg vies for the ball with Michael Olise of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Maximilian Arnold (front L) of VfL Wolfsburg vies for the ball with Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Alphonso Davies (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Patrick Wimmer of VfL Wolfsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Yannick Gerhardt (L) of VfL Wolfsburg vies with Michael Olise of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Harry Kane (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Denis Vavro of VfL Wolfsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Mohammed Amoura (1st L) of VfL Wolfsburg scores his second goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Konstantinos Koulierakis (L) of VfL Wolfsburg vies for the ball with Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg in Munich, Germany, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)