Lewandowski scores late as Bayern beats Augsburg 1-0

BERLIN (AP) — Robert Lewandowski converted a late penalty as Bayern Munich rebounded from its Champions League defeat to beat Augsburg 1-0 on Saturday and take another step toward a record-extending 10th consecutive title.

It was Lewandowski’s 32nd league goal in 29 matches this season and saw Bayern move nine points clear of second-place Borussia Dortmund. The two teams meet in Munich on April 23.

Augsburg remained six points above the drop zone.

Bayern surprisingly lost 1-0 at Villarreal in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday. The Spanish team visits Munich on Tuesday and Bayern appeared to have one eye on that match in a disappointing first half against Augsburg.

Bayern had just four shots on goal and none on target in the first 45 minutes but improved after the break.

It eventually broke the deadlock eight minutes from time. The referee had initially waved play on but revoked his decision and awarded Bayern the spot kick following a video review for a handball by Augsburg defender Reece Oxford.

Bayern almost doubled its lead moments later but Joshua Kimmich’s long-range effort crashed off the crossbar.

BERLIN DERBY

Union Berlin routed Hertha Berlin 4-1 to boost its chances of qualifying for Europe and damage its crosstown rival’s hopes of escaping relegation.

Genki Haraguchi headed Union into the lead in the 31st minute but visiting defender Timo Baumgartl turned the ball into his own net to see Hertha level shortly after halftime.

However, Grischa Prömel headed Union back in front four minutes later and strikes from Sheraldo Becker and Sven Michel sealed the match.

Hertha remained a point below 15th-place Stuttgart.

RELEGATION FIGHT

Lukas Nmecha scored twice to set Wolfsburg on its way to a convincing 4-0 win over relegation-threatened Arminia Bielefeld.

Nmecha fired Wolfsburg into the lead in the 11th minute and doubled his tally with a header shortly before halftime. Maximilian Arnold and Max Kruse wrapped up the points within eight minutes of the second half.

Kevin Paredes, an 18-year-old left-footed wing back from Virginia, entered in the 86th minute for Wolfsburg in his Bundesliga debut. He transferred in January from D.C. United.

Bielefeld remained above Hertha on goal difference.

Last-place Greuther Fürth lost 2-0 at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Cologne scored three goals in the final half-hour to recover from 2-0 down and beat Mainz 3-2 to boost its hopes of European qualification.