Philippe Coutinho (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Pavel Kaderabek of Hoffenheim during a German Cup 3rd round match between FC Bayern Munich and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich advanced into the next round after beating wasteful Hoffenheim 4-3 on Robert Lewandowski's brace in the round of the last 16 in the German Cup on Wednesday.
The German record champions dominated the proceedings on the pitch but Hansi Flick's men retracted with a 4-1 lead and had to sweat in the closing period as Hoffenheim sniffed the chance to level the scores.
Bayern assumed control from the starting whistle and though they had opened the scoring with just five minutes played but Lewandowski's goal was ruled offside.
The opener was scored at the other end of the pitch and with great assistance of Jerome Boateng who netted a clearance into the wrong goal with eight minutes into the match.
It was a short-lived joy for Hoffenheim though as their lead lasted only five minutes as Benjamin Hubner deflected Alphonso Davies cross to level the scores for Bayern.
Bayern gained momentum and completed their comeback in the 20th minute when Thomas Muller tapped home David Alaba's pinpoint cross from very close range.
Hansi Flick's men remained on the front foot and added another goal to their lead after Lewandowski nodded past Hoffenheim goalkeeper Philipp Pentke in the 36th minute.
After the restart, Bayern continued to press forward but neither Muller nor Lewandowski were able to beat Pentke despite promising chances.
Hoffenheim threw every man up front and piled on the pressure but for all that they had a goal ruled out due to a foregone handball by Hubner in the 72nd minute.
Bayern showed no mercy as Lewandowski sewed up his brace after heading home a corner with ten minutes to the final whistle.
It looked like Bayern had sealed the deal but resilient Hoffenheim reduced the arrears two minutes later through Munas Dabbur, who shrugged off Alaba to slot home past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Bayern wobbled meanwhile Hoffenheim wasted a golden opportunity to make it 4-3 as unmarked Dabbur missed the target by header from promising position in the 87th minute.
Dabbur cut a better figure in front of the target moments later as he poked home a rebound that dropped off the left post in the injury time.
Hoffenheim pressed frenetically but Bayern were able to hold firm and to book their berth for the next round.
Elsewhere, fourth-division team FC Saarbrucken upset second division club Karlsruher SC 5-3 on penalties.
