Bayern Munich underlined their domestic dominance by smashing the Bundesligaโs all-time single-season scoring record and moving a step closer to yet another league title after a 5-0 demolition of relegation-threatened St Pauli.
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Leon Goretzka struck Bayernโs record-breaking 102nd league goal of the campaign as the reigning champions went on to extend the mark further, finishing the match on 105 goals. The win opened up a 12-point gap over Borussia Dortmund with just five rounds remaining.
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Jamal Musiala had earlier equalled the long-standing record of 101 goals set by Bayernโs legendary 1971-72 side featuring Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Mรผller when he headed in the opener in the ninth minute. Goretzka then moved Bayern into uncharted territory with a volley early in the second half.
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Michael Olise added a third almost immediately after the record-breaking strike, Nicolas Jackson got on the scoresheet with the fourth, and Raphaรซl Guerreiro completed the rout late on to push the tally to 105 goals. The home supporters briefly celebrated what they thought was a second Goretzka goal, but it was ruled out by VAR for offside.
Also read: Champions League: PSG down Liverpool, Bayern outclass Real Madrid
Coach Vincent Kompany rotated his squad ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Real Madrid, resting key players including Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlovic. Bayern hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Madrid and travel for the return fixture next week.
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Earlier in the day, Borussia Dortmundโs 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen had already boosted Bayernโs title push. Robert Andrichโs long-range strike in the first half secured victory for Leverkusen, ending Dortmundโs four-match winning run and tightening the race for European qualification.
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The result lifted Leverkusen into fifth place, just a point behind Stuttgart in the battle for Champions League spots. Meanwhile, Leipzig strengthened their hold on third place with a late 1-0 win over Borussia Mรถnchengladbach.
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At the other end of the table, Wolfsburgโs struggles deepened with a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, leaving them second from bottom and in danger of relegation after a 12-match winless run. Bottom-placed Heidenheim, however, kept their survival hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Union Berlin.
