Canadian Alphonso Davies scores as Bayern beat Mainz 4-0 to move on in German Cup
By The Associated Press on February 1, 2023.
MAINZ, Germany (CP-AP) – Canadian Alphonso Davies scored 12 minutes after coming in off the bench to complete Bayern Munich’s scoring in a 4-0 win at Mainz that moved the Bundesliga leader into the quarterfinals of the German Cup. Darting into the penalty box, Davies rose high to beat a defender and head home Joshua Kimmich’s well-placed cross in the 83rd minute for his second goal of the season. In November, the 22-year-old from Edmonton also used his head against Croatia to score Canada’s first-ever goal at the men’s World Cup in Qatar. “Back to the winning ways and happy to be on the scoresheet,” Davies said later on social media. “Onto the next round.” Davies had come in for newcomer João Cancelo, who needed little time to make an impact for Bayern. The Portugal left back started on the right wing one day after joining on loan from Manchester City and he set up Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to open the scoring in the 17th minute. It was Bayern’s first win of 2023 after restarting the Bundesliga with three draws and the first time since 2020 the Bavarian powerhouse reached the German Cup quarterfinals. Cancelo made the most of some passive defending from Mainz as he lofted a cross to the far post for Choupo-Moting, then Thomas Müller set up Jamal Musiala to shoot in off the right post in the 30th. Kimmich struck the post with a free kick and Matthijs de Ligt missed another good chance as Bayern maintained its dominance. It got worse for Mainz before the break when captain Silvan Widmer had to go off injured and Choupo-Moting set up Leroy Sané to score. Mainz improved drastically for the second, but the visitors withstood the pressure and Kimmich served as playmaker for Davies to complete the scoring. Mainz coach Bo Svensson had been sent off just before Davies’ goal. Referee Deniz Aytekin said after the game that Svensson had asked the fourth official if they were all blind. Mainz defender Alexander Hack followed with his second yellow card in the 86th. Bayern visits Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Feb. 14. Musiala limped off at the break but emerged to finish the game. Both de Ligt and Dutch compatriot Ryan Gravenberch needed attention after strong collisions in the second half. Both continued. Defending champion Leipzig earlier defeated Hoffenheim 3-1 to progress. Union Berlin and Stuttgart booked their quarterfinal places on Tuesday. There are more third-round games next week. 16-15
