Football
2018/19 German Bundesliga
MUN 
3
FT
 TSG
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ESPN 6y

Bayern Munich win Bundesliga season opener despite goals ruled out by VAR

Robert Lewandowski scored a penalty at the second time of asking to lift Bayern Munich to a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim to open the Bundesliga season on Friday night.

Thomas Muller's first-half opener was cancelled out by Adam Szalai soon after the break, before Bayern got their 82nd-minute winner after a VAR review.

The defending champions then had another goal ruled out by VAR before Arjen Robben, who came on for the injured Kingsley Coman, added a late third.

Muller delivered the opening goal with a powerful header following a corner midway through the first half, but Bayern suffered a setback when Coman limped off the pitch shortly before the break following a late challenge from Nico Schulz.

Hoffenheim were level in the 57th minute when Szalai did well to turn Jerome Boateng in the box and fire into the far corner.

But Bayern were able to restore their lead after being awarded a debatable penalty when Haavard Nordtveit slid into Franck Ribery near the side of the box.

Lewandowski stepped up to take the spot kick but saw his attempt saved by Oliver Baumann, but Arjen Robben was the first into the box to tap in the rebound.

However, the referee consulted the VAR system and ruled out the goal as replays showed Robben had clearly entered the box too early.

Bayern were then allowed to retake the penalty and Lewandowski was able to convert to put Bayern ahead.

The hosts thought they had another goal soon after when Leon Goretzka's shot from distance took a major deflection off the back of Muller and into the net, but it was ruled out after another VAR review showed the ball struck the forward's arm.

Robben did get his goal in stoppage time, though, as a Bayern throw-in was nicely flicked on by Muller into the Dutchman's path for Bayern's third goal.

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