WOLFSBURG: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Medhi Benatia (C) challenge VfL Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne during their German Super Cup match.—Reuters

WOLFSBURG: Substitute Nicklas Bendtner scored a late equaliser and converted the decisive penalty as German Cup winners VfL Wolfsburg upset Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on penalties to win their first domestic Super Cup at the Volkswagen Arena on Saturday.

Arjen Robben’s second-half strike from close range looked to have secured victory for Bayern, who were searching for their first Super Cup triumph since 2012 after successive defeats to Borussia Dortmund.

But Bendtner — who scored just one goal in 18 league appearances for the Wolves last season — made it 1-1 in the 89th minute to send the match straight into the penalty shootout, with no extra time.

All five Wolfsburg players scored from the spot, while goalkeeper Koen Casteels made an acrobatic save with his left foot to deny Bayern’s Xabi Alonso as coach Pep Guardiola remained winless in three attempts in the Super Cup.

“We failed to finish the job and we were punished in the end,” Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said.

Arturo Vidal made his debut for Bayern, going on in the 74th. He was booked eight minutes later and scored from the first penalty shot.

Bayern’s other new signing, Douglas Costa, set up the first goal with a low cross from the left and Robben drove home from close range in the 49th.

But Bendtner, who came off the bench in the 70th, connected with a low cross from Kevin de Bruyne at the near post to send the ball into the roof of the net with little time remaining.

Wolfsburg proved that they are likely to be Bayern’s closest challenger for the title in the Bundesliga, which kicks off in two weeks. Wolfsburg beat Bayern 4-1 last season and finished runners-up in the championship.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2015

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