BERLIN (AP) — Goals from Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson in injury time saved Bayern Munich a 3-1 victory over St. Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Even if Bayern lost, it was already certain that they would set a new league record by leading the Bundesliga for 44 consecutive games.
Diaz’s shoulder deflected Joshua Kimmich’s cross, ending any hopes of scoring with three minutes left in stoppage time, before Serge Gnabry added another point for Jackson.
The goal extended St. Pauli’s losing record in the league to nine games in a row and avoided an unpleasant question at Bayern. First loss of the season They face Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said: “We didn’t let up. We always had the belief that we could still win this game. It was a relief to score two goals.”
A draw with the promoted Hamburg-based side would have been Bayern’s second in three league games after Union Berlin. ended a record 16-game winning streak They enter the season tied 2-2 on November 8th.
St. Pauli’s Andreas Funtonzi surprised Bayern by scoring the opening goal in the sixth minute when Mathias Pereira Lage took the ball from Konrad Reimer and shot the ball between Neuer’s legs.
The scorer had to leave the game immediately afterwards, clutching the back of his thigh.
Lennart Karl then Tom Bischoff hit the post as Bayern tried to respond to an early fightback.
Their efforts paid off as Diaz equalized just before half-time with a goal from Rafael Guerreiro. Díaz initially tried to control the ball, but lost his balance and sent the ball back to Guerreiro with his heel.
In the closing stages, Harry Kane hit the post and Bayern pressed on for victory.
“These wins are part of the season and give us confidence,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said. “It’s a huge credit to the players for keeping us going. We’re going to need that feeling this season.”
Former Bayern winger Kinsley Coman was honored by the club before kick-off. The French star joined Saudi team Al Nasr in the off-season.
Dortmund wins in cup rehearsal
Borussia Dortmund beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1, with goals from Aaron Anselmino and Karim Adeyemi either side of half-time, moving them ahead of the home side into third place.
Christian Kofane’s goal sparked Leverkusen’s late, ultimately unsuccessful fightback.
The two teams will meet again in Dortmund in the third round of the German Cup on Tuesday.
More later drama
Heidenheim scored two goals in stoppage time to beat Union 2-1 and move out of the bottom of the table. St. Pauli fell to last place.
Cologne drew 1-1 with Werder Bremen thanks to a goal from El Mara in stoppage time. Bremen’s Niklas Starck was sent off for two vicious fouls on the Cologne star.
Hoffenheim scored all their goals in the first half and defeated Augsburg 3-0.
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