Bayern overcome Frankfurt 2-1 to advance to German Cup final

BERLIN - Bayern Munich booked their berth in the final for the third consecutive time after eliminating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 through Robert Lewandowski's winner in the German Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

From the kick-off, Bayern took the reins on home soil but Frankfurt presented a well-positioned defense.

The hosts pressed the "Eagles" onto the back foot and came by a number of chances in the early stages as Dominik Kohr had to scratch Thomas Muller's header off the goal line while Lewandowski rattled the roof of the net moments later.

It came as no surprise that the Bavarians broke the deadlock with just 14 minutes played when Muller's chip into the area allowed Ivan Perisic to nod home with a diving header.

The German record champions gained momentum and should have doubled their advantage through Kingsley Coman, who missed an empty goal in the 26th minute.

Hansi Flick's men remained wasteful with their opportunities as Coman squandered a presentable counterattack before goalkeeper Kevin Trapp denied Lewandowski at the half hour mark.

Frankfurt lacked in penetration and left Bayern custodian Manuel Neuer without work in the first 45 minutes.

After the restart, Frankfurt grew into the game as the clock ticked and punished the host's wastefulness in the 69th minute when substitute Danny da Costa drilled a loose rebound from the edge of the box into the top left corner.

Bayern needed just five minutes to recover from the equalizer as they combined their way through Frankfurt's territory before Joshua Kimmich's square pass found Lewandowski, who poked home at the far post from a tight angle. The goal was at first ruled offside but later confirmed by the video assistant referee.

Frankfurt threw every man up front but Bayern stood firm and sealed their 24th appearance in the German Cup final.

Bayern face Bayer Leverkusen in the final in Berlin's Olympia stadium on July 5.

"We did not play well in the second half. The first half was good but we should have scored more goals. Ultimately, I am happy that we reached the final," said Bayern head coach Hanis Flick.

"Bayern were clearly the better team in the first half. We improved our performance in the second and restored parity deservedly," Frankfurt head coach Adi Hutter said.