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Kim Min-jae (30), a key defender for the South Korean national team, did not take the field in the final, but his club, Bayern Munich, claimed the DFB Pokal title, securing the coveted double for the season following their Bundesliga championship.
Kim Min-jae's club, Bayern Munich, defeated VfB Stuttgart 3-0 in the 2025-2026 DFB Pokal final held at 3 a.m. (Korean time) on the 24th at Olympiastadion Berlin in Berlin, Germany, lifting the trophy.
With this result, Bayern Munich completed a thrilling double, dominating both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal, their first such achievement in six years since 2020.
Kim Min-jae was included in the substitute lineup for the match but was not selected by manager Vincent Kompany, watching the team's victory from the bench. Although he did not play directly on the pitch in the final, he made significant contributions as a key defender for the team this season, helping Bayern Munich achieve the double through his performances in both the league and the cup competition.
Bayern Munich employed a 4-2-3-1 formation to face Stuttgart. Harry Kane started as the lone striker up front, while Luis Diaz, Jamal Musiala, and Michael Olise lined up in the second line to provide offensive support.
The midfield was composed of Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joshua Kimmich, while Josip Stanisic, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano, and Konrad Laimer formed the defensive back four. Jonas Urbig took over as goalkeeper in place of Manuel Neuer.
The first half was a fierce battle befitting a final. Defending champion Stuttgart troubled Bayern Munich with intense pressure and physical play.
Bayern Munich, struggling with build-up play in the early stages of the match, managed to overcome the crisis thanks to three crucial saves by starting goalkeeper Urbig. A physical battle filled with rough fouls ensued, and both teams, refusing to concede any space, ended the first half in a 0-0 draw.
In the second half, manager Kompany's tactical adjustments and Kane's decisive finishing shone. Kompany utilized Urbig's accurate long passes to counter Stuttgart's high press, breaking through the defense on the flanks.
The opening goal came in the 10th minute of the second half. In the 9th minute, Stuttgart's Chris Führich received his first yellow card for obstructing Olise. In the ensuing free-kick situation, Kimmich quickly connected with the ball, and Olise delivered a cross. Kane, rushing into the box, finished with a diving header, beating Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel and shaking the net.
Bayern Munich's attack was relentless. After Kane's powerful shot hit the post, leaving the team with regret, they scored an additional goal in the 35th minute of the second half to seize control. Kane, receiving a pass from Diaz, scored his second goal with a sharp shot into the bottom-right corner inside the penalty area.
Bayern Munich sealed the match. In stoppage time, Angelo Stiller, completely exhausted, committed a handball foul inside the penalty box, resulting in a penalty kick for Bayern Munich. Kane, the designated kicker, calmly converted the spot-kick, completing his hat-trick in stoppage time and putting the final period on the 3-0 victory.
With this hat-trick, Kane set an incredible record of 61 goals across all competitions this season. Kim Min-jae and Kane have now secured their first-ever cup trophy double in their careers.
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