Bayern win Cup final to earn historic treble

BERLIN: Champions League winners Bayern Munich became the first Bundesliga team to win the treble after their hard-fought 3-2 win over VfB Stuttgart in Saturday's German Cup final.

Having claimed their fifth European crown in Wembley last Saturday and won the Bundesliga with a record tally of 91 points, Bayern completed the set with their 16th German Cup title.

The Bavarian giants won the European Cup in three straight seasons in the 1970s, but coach Jupp Heynckes ended his two-year tenure in charge of the most successful Bayern side of all time.

Striker Mario Gomez, who made a rare start ahead of Mario Mandzukic, hit two after the break to add to Thomas Mueller's first-half penalty as Bayern cruised to a 3-0 lead.

But a bullet header on 71 minutes, then a well-placed shot, both from Austria's Martin Harnik, 10 minutes from time, ensured a nervous finale as Bayern weathered Stuttgart's late onslaught.

But Bayern were not to be denied their 45th win from 53 matches in all competitions this season.

Ex-Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola will replace Heynckes as Bayern head coach on June 26, but after just three defeats and 11 league points dropped all season, it is hard to see where he can improve. (AFP)