Borussia Dortmund put Bayern Munich to the sword to claim German double

 

Michael Butler
Monday 14 May 2012 06:36 EDT
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Borussia Dortmund’s hero Robert Lewandowski holds up the trophy
Borussia Dortmund’s hero Robert Lewandowski holds up the trophy (Reuters)

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Borussia Dortmund completed their first league and cup double with a comprehensive 5-2 victory over rivals Bayern Munich in the German Cup final. Having recently secured the Bundesliga for the second successive year, Dortmund asserted their domestic dominance over Bayern, with Robert Lewandowski scoring a hat-trick, to finish on 30 goals for the season.

The Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Mike Phelan, his assistant, were notable spectators in the crowd, and have been linked with Dortmund's midfielder Shinji Kagawa, and the Japan international didn't disappoint, scoring the opener inside three minutes. Bayern hit back through an Arjen Robben penalty but Dortmund dominated after that, with Lewandowski completing his hat-trick in the 81st minute, capitalising on a mistake by Manuel Neuer.

Dortmund, who are yet to lose in 2012, have now won the last five meetings between the two sides, with the result also sure to dent Bayern's confidence ahead of next Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Barcelona ended the La Liga season by salvaging a 2-2 draw at Real Betis, after Seydou Keita's injury-time goal meant that Pep Guardiola's last game in charge wasn't marked by a defeat.

Missing their talismatic captain, Carlos Puyol, with a knee injury – he now looks set to miss Spain's Euro 2012 campaign – Barcelona opened the scoring through Sergio Busquets, but two goals from Ruben Castro meant that they trailed going into the final moments, only for Keita to head the equaliser.

In Italy, league winners Juventus beat Atalanta 3-1 to become the third team to complete a Serie A season unbeaten after Perugia (1978-79), and Milan (1991-92), conceding only 20 goals all season.

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