Luis Diaz strikes late as Bayern battle back to beat St Pauli 3-1

Luis Diaz strikes late as Bayern battle back to beat St Pauli 3-1

Luis Diaz scored in stoppage time to help Bayern Munich secure a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over St Pauli on Saturday.

Suspended for the midweek defeat to Arsenal, Diaz made an immediate impact on his return, heading in a Harry Kane cross in the third minute of added time to put Bayern ahead.

Nicolas Jackson then struck four minutes later to seal the win, ensuring Bayern avoided dropping points for just the second time this Bundesliga campaign.

Earlier, Díaz provided the assist for Bayern’s equaliser from Raphaël Guerreiro shortly before half-time, cancelling out Andreas Hountondji’s shock opener for the visitors in the sixth minute.

RB Leipzig’s goalless draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday means Bayern end the round eight points clear at the top of the table.

Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer praised Bayern’s resilience.

“We kept going after we went behind and were unlucky to hit the post three times. The late goals were a relief,” he said.

St Pauli arrived in Munich on the back of eight straight Bundesliga defeats but stunned the champions early. A midfield turnover by Joshua Kimmich allowed Hountondji to muscle past Kim Min-jae and finish at the near post.

Bayern youngsters Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof both hit the post before Díaz acrobatically created the equaliser. Redeeming himself for his earlier error, Kim chipped a long pass into the box for Díaz, who, while falling, managed to tee up Guerreiro to smash home from close range.

Kane struck the woodwork again with 10 minutes left but played a decisive role in Díaz’s winner, lofting a delicate ball toward goal for the Colombian to nod in. Chelsea loanee Jackson then added Bayern’s third with the final kick of the match.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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