Scoring five goals in one match is very much a rarity, and something that many strikers can only dream of. However, Gerd Müller achieved this feat no fewer than four times, another category where the Bayern legend holds the record. Müller’s five goals against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 5 May 1973 were of particular significance, as his glorious display at the Olympiastadion sealed the Bundesliga title for FCB 74 years ago today.
Hoeneß starts off
Gerd Müller’s name featured prominently on the scoreboard at the Olympiastadion once again.
It was actually another player who opened the scoring on this day: Uli Hoeneß gave Bayern the lead after just five minutes and fired them on their way to the title. It wasn’t long before the Müller show began, though. The seven-time Bundesliga top goalscorer netted twice before the break with a powerful close-range shot and a penalty (18, 29).
Scoring from anywhere
Ice-cool: Müller sends the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot for his second goal.
Müller picked up where he left off in the second half, beating Kaiserslautern keeper Sepp Stabel again just three minutes after the restart. ‘Der Bomber’ made it 5-0 with his head in the 65th minute, but he wasn’t finished yet. With 11 minutes left, Müller bagged his fifth goal to complete a 6-0 rout.
Team and individual glory
Udo Lattek (right) celebrated his second Bundesliga title as Bayern coach in 1973.
With the victory over Kaiserslautern, FCB pulled away once and for all. Köln were 10 points behind (when two points were awarded for a win) in second place with four matchdays remaining. Another honour was also decided on this day, as Müller’s five goals set him apart from nearest challenger Jupp Heynckes in the scoring charts. Three more goals took his tally to 36 at the end of the season.
Gerd Müller had a crucial role in many important games for Bayern, with whom he enjoyed great success during the 70s. We’ve rounded up the best knockout games from this period:
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