By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Bayern beats Cologne and sets a record after smoke stops play in Bundesliga
preview.jpg
Bayern's Harry Kane, center, walks on the pitch covered in smoke from flares during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Koeln and FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. - photo by AP Photo/Martin Meissner
There was plenty of smoke, but Bayern Munich needed time to show some fire. In a game held up for 10 minutes because flare smoke covered the field, 17-year-old Lennart Karl's fourth Bundesliga goal of a breakout season helped Bayern to a 3-1 win at Cologne in the Bundesliga on Wednesday. With 17 games of 34 played, that meant Bayern matched the previous Bundesliga points record of 47 at the halfway stage set by Pep Guardiola’s Bayern of 2013-14 and surpassed it on goal difference, +53 to +35.