FC Köln produced a brave and disciplined performance against Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga giants ultimately asserted their quality, claiming a 3–1 victory away from home. The hosts showed no fear and were rewarded in the 41st minute, when a mistake from Serge Gnabry allowed Linton Maina to open the scoring. Even the experienced Manuel Neuer was unable to bail Bayern out on this occasion.

Early use of pyrotechnics inside the stadium forced the referee to add a remarkable 11 minutes of stoppage time to the first half — and it was during this extended finale that Bayern struck back. Gnabry redeemed himself in spectacular fashion, producing a stunning finish from a tight angle, driving the ball into the turf and over the goalkeeper. It was a moment of pure quality and one of the standout goals of the matchday.

After the break, Bayern Munich gradually tightened their grip on the game. Under the guidance of head coach Vincent Kompany, the visitors increased the tempo and eventually broke Köln’s resistance through a well-rehearsed set-piece routine from a corner. The third goal sealed the contest and confirmed Bayern’s superiority.

2025-26, Germany - Bundesliga

1. FC Köln - Bayern 1:3 (1:1)
Goals: Maina, 41 (1:0); Gnabry, 45 (1:1); Kim Min-jae, 71 (1:2); Karl, 84 (1:3)

1. FC Köln: Schwabe; Simpson-Pusey; Sebulonsen; Lund K. (Jóhannesson Í.B., 78); Ozkacar; Krauß T.; Kaminski J.; Maina (Schenten, 67); El Mala S. (Waldschmidt, 78); Ache R. (Bülter, 78); Thielmann
Substitution: Schenten (from 67); Jóhannesson Í.B. (from 78); Bülter (from 78); Waldschmidt (from 78)
Bench: Zieler; Huseinbasic; Kainz; Castro-Montes

Bayern: Neuer; Kim Min-jae; Tah J. (Upamecano, 67); Ito H. (Guerreiro, 88); Gnabry (Karl, 67); Goretzka; Olise (Bischof T., 82); Laimer; Pavlovic Al.; Luis Díaz; Kane
Substitution: Upamecano (from 67); Karl (from 67); Bischof T. (from 82); Guerreiro (from 88)
Bench: Urbig; Kiala; Santos; Chávez F.; Wisdom