BERLIN: Bayern Munich secured a record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title with a game to spare on Saturday after a 2-1 victory at Ingolstadt helped them put the disappointment of their midweek Champions League semi-final exit behind them.

The Bavarians made sure of their 26th German league crown thanks to two goals from top-scorer Robert Lewandowski in the first half — the Poland striker opening the scoring with a penalty in the 15th minute and claiming his 29th goal of the season past the half hour mark.

Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 loss at relegation-threatened Eintracht Frankfurt meant even a defeat would have been enough for Bayern, eight points clear of Dortmund with one round remaining.

The result means Bayern have now won the Bundesliga title in each of Pep Guardiola’s three years in charge in Munich before he leaves to coach Manchester City next season.

Bayern can clinch the double when they take on Dortmund in the German Cup final on May 21 in Berlin.

The final whistle sparked a Bayern party at the 15,000-seater Audi Sportpark, with forward Thomas Mueller grabbing a loud hailer to lead chants with the fans just four days after the heartbreak of their Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

Bayern took the lead when Franck Ribery was fouled by home captain Marvin Matip in the area and Lewandowski drilled home the resulting spot-kick.

He then added his second when he drilled home Xabi Alonso’s superb pass from a tight angle.

Ingolstadt’s Australia striker Mathew Leckie was denied by Manuel Neuer but the hosts pulled a goal back on 42 minutes when Moritz Hartmann converted a penalty after a push from behind from Alonso.

Meanwhile, Dortmund suffered their first league defeat of 2016 as Eintracht’s Stefan Aigner headed home a cross from Japan’s Makoto Hasebe on 14 minutes after goalkeeper Roman Buerki had already pulled off two reflex saves.

Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Andre Hahn scored twice in a 2-1 comeback victory over Bayer Leverkusen that all but secured fourth place and a Champions League qualifying round spot.

Chile midfielder Charles Aranguiz, who has spent most of the season out with an Achilles tendon injury, put Leverkusen ahead in the first half before Hahn struck either side of the break for Gladbach.

Gladbach are on 52 in fourth with Mainz 05, Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04 on 49.

Hertha Berlin lost ground in their fight for the Champions League when they lost 2-1 at home to Darmstadt, whose striker Sandro Wagner scored the winner against his ex-club and was then sent off for a second booking.

Schalke stay on course for a Europa League place after their 1-1 draw at home to Augsburg while VfL Wolfsburg broke their seven-match winless streak, dating back to March, Luiz Gustavo heading in the only goal in the 1-0 victory over Hamburg.

Former champions Werder Bremen managed only a goalless draw at Cologne and will now battle it out with Frankfurt on the last matchday to avoid relegation.

Werder are in the relegation playoff spot on 35 with Frankfurt on 36. VfB Stuttgart, Bundesliga champions in 2007, are in 17th on 33 points after their 3-1 loss to Mainz.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2016