Berlin’s Olympic Park set an iconic scene for the German football season’s final act, and there was nobody better to contest it than the holders and the record-breaking 122-goal Bundesliga champions.
And it was Stuttgart who seemed keenest to prevail and retain their crown among the fervour of the early exchanges, with Deniz Undav forcing Jonas Urbig into an easy save, before Maximilian Mittelstadt fired low from distance to make the Germany international stretch down to his left and tip it away.
The previous two Pokal finals had both featured a side from outside of Germany’s top tier, but Bayern - whose entire starting outfield corps will feature at this summer’s World Cup - presented a different challenge.
All of Stuttgart’s prior dominance seemed for nothing when the Bavarians suddenly awoke late in the half, with Josip Stanisic’s long-range drive requiring a strong hand by Alexander Nubel.
Bayern continued strong into half-time, but the first half ended goalless for just the second time in the last 10 Pokal finals.
The customary post-interval pyrotechnics turned the Olympiastadion into a smoking cauldron of noise and colour to greet the players’ re-emergence, and Bayern struck while the iron was hot.
Michael Olise marauded down the right side and looped a cross perfectly onto the head of Kane, who leapt forward to nod into the open net.
The visibility got worse from there and prompted a lengthy stoppage, though Bayern stayed on the front foot afterwards and saw Konrad Laimer somehow skew high after Luis Diaz’s curler rebounded into his path.
Stuttgart struggled hugely to respond from there, and Kane compounded their misery with an expert swivel and low finish from the centre of the area with 10 minutes to go.
There was still time for one final twist, though, and it went Bayern’s way, with Angelo Stiller handling it in the area. Kane dispatched from the spot to become the first player to net a Pokal final treble since Robert Lewandowski in 2012.
Bayern ultimately cruised to a 21st title in just 26 final appearances - at least 15 more than any other side. Stuttgart, meanwhile, relinquish their grasp on the trophy, but fans will be consoled by the fact that they will once again appear in the UEFA Champions League next campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Harry Kane (Bayern)
