Toni strikes late as Bayern beat Hoffenheim

Luca Toni struck in the final minute to give FC Bayern München a dramatic 2-1 victory against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Friday and lift the German champions level on points with the surprise Bundesliga leaders.

Hesitancy
Jürgen Klinsmann's side looked as if they would have to settle for a point after Philipp Lahm had cancelled out prolific Hoffenheim striker Vedad Ibišević's 18th goal of the season. Toni, however, seized on a moment of hesitancy in the visitors' defence seconds from the final whistle to edge Bayern ever closer to top spot by extending their unbeaten run to 14 matches in all competitions. The Italian had proved far less clinical when he missed an early chance, and Bayern would rue his generosity as Ibišević exploited an opening four minutes after the interval with a crisp turn and shot past Michael Rensing.

Lahm leveller
With Hoffenheim denying Toni and Franck Ribéry space, it was Lahm who broke free to find a leveller. Given space to stride forward, the diminutive left-back darted inside before finding the top corner with a powerful strike on the hour mark. Toni then twice connected with Massimo Oddo crosses only to head narrowly wide on both occasions, but the former ACF Fiorentina striker proved ruthless after Andreas Ibertsberger had failed to clear to leave Bayern second on goal difference. "We pushed and pushed in the second half, and in the end - to come from behind - is great," said Klinsmann. "Hoffenheim played very well, and showed just why they are top of the Bundesliga. They pushed us to the limit, but we won so I'm very satisfied." Hoffenheim counterpart Ralf Rangnick was left to reflect on a "bitter" result, saying: "When you concede a goal in the final minute it's both annoying and frustrating."