Better late than never for Bayern

The "curse" has been lifted.

Harry Kane can finally celebrate his first career title after Bayern Munich became Bundesliga champion with a little help from Freiburg on Sunday.

Freiburg drew with second-placed Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 to leave Bayern an unassailable eight points clear of the 2024 champion with two rounds of the German league remaining.

The 31-year-old Kane had never won a title in a career of runner-up finishes and defeats in finals with Bayern, Tottenham and England, leading some to speak of a "curse "against a player considered one of the world's best forwards.

Kane's arrival as Bayern's record signing in 2023 was followed by the club's first trophyless season since 2012.

Kane was ready to celebrate on Saturday when Bayern looked set to win 3-2 in Leipzig. But, Yussuf Poulsen equalized with the last kick of the game for Leipzig to draw 3-3 and postpone Bayern's — and Kane's — party.

Teammate Thomas Muller wrote on Instagram: "Next week, Harry!"

He didn't have to wait that long.

Leverkusen played without conviction in Freiburg, knowing that second place was already secured and that it only had a mathematical chance of defending its title with Bayern having a far superior goal difference.

Maximilian Eggestein fired the home team ahead before the break, and an own goal from Piero Hincapie put Freiburg firmly in control.

Leverkusen had to wait until the 82nd minute for Florian Wirtz to pull one back with his team's first shot on target.

Jonathan Tah eventually equalized in stoppage time, but it made no difference for the new league champion.

"We are the champions!" Kane sang with teammates in a Munich restaurant, where he and Joshua Kimmich were doused in beer and champagne as they sang Bob Marley's classic Three Little Birds.

It's Bayern's record-extending 34th German championship, including the first for the club in 1932.

Every other title came after the Bundesliga's formation in 1963.

Bayern will be presented with the trophy after its home game against Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend, when Muller will be given what's sure to be an emotional send-off after 25 years at the club.

"He's leaving as a legend," Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said of Muller's 13 Bundesliga titles.

Kompany's coaching

Though far from first choice, rookie coach Vincent Kompany has proven to be just what Bayern needed after Thomas Tuchel's turbulent spell as coach.

Bayern tried to get Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso, Nagelsmann and Austria's Ralf Rangnick to take over, before attempting to convince Tuchel to stay after all.

Kompany was a surprise pick after Burnley's Premier League relegation — having led the team to promotion the season before — but it has proved to be an inspired choice.

Sporting director Christoph Freund praised the Belgian's calm manner, clear communication and focus for getting through to the players.

The club has put a lid on the drama that overshadowed recent seasons. Gone are the days of player discontent, a coach hunting a mole in the locker room, a star player allegedly hitting a teammate and the club barring its own chief executive from title celebrations.

CL fight heats up

Freiburg's draw kept it sitting fourth — the final place for Champions League qualification — just a point ahead of the resurgent Borussia Dortmund and two ahead of Leipzig.

Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt stayed four points clear of Freiburg with a 1-1 draw at Mainz in the later game.

Only Germany's top four teams will qualify for Europe's premier club competition.

Earlier, Holstein Kiel boosted its hopes of avoiding the drop with a 3-1 win at Augsburg.

It moved Kiel to a point behind Heidenheim, which occupies the relegation playoff place. Kiel next plays Freiburg, then Dortmund.

Agencies Via Xinhua