Robert Lewandowski’s first-half hat trick ensured Bayern Munich a 5-0 victory over Fourth division side FC Carl Zeiss Jena at the first round of the 74th German Cup on Friday.
The German Cup holders started their title defense with Lewandowski establishing the 3-0 within 43 minutes before Arturo Vidal and Mats Hummels rounded off the 5-0 win on the road.
Breaking the deadlock with just three minutes into the game, Lewandowski made use of Franck Ribery’s build-up play to slot home a follow up shot from close range.
Jena were unable to respond as Bayern dictated the proceedings on the pitch. Hence, Lewandowski doubled the lead after lobbing a through ball, again from Ribery, over onrushing Jena custodian Raphael Koczor on 34 minutes.
The Poland international wasn’t done with the scoring as he wrapped up his hat trick after drilling the ball from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner in the 43rd minute.
After the restart, Jena tried to pile on the pressure but Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on guard to defuse Manfred Starke’s free kick effort three minutes into the second half.
As the match progressed, Bayern increased the pressure to extend the lead as Arturo Vidal poked home Lewandowski’s square pass into the open goal in the 72nd minute before Mats Hummels rounded off the expected first round victory five minutes later.
With the result, Bayern advanced into the second round of the German Cup, which will take place on October 25/26.
Elsewhere, top flight team Augsburg edged fifth-division side FC Ravensburg 2-0 as Ja-Cheol Koo and Raul Bobadilla were on target for the “Fuggerstaedter”. Meanwhile second division side St. Pauli eliminated fourth division club Luebeck 3-0 to book their berth for the second round.
The remaining Bundesliga teams will step into contest in the next three days to encounter lower league sides.