Luis Diaz scored a hat trick and provided an assist as Bayern Munich defeated RB Leipzig 6-1 on Oct. 17, delivering one of his strongest performances since joining the German champions and reinforcing their early-season title defense.
The Colombian winger scored three times and set up Aleksandar Pavlović’s goal at the Allianz Arena. Bundesliga fans voted him Man of the Match with 84% of the vote, according to the league’s official report. The result put Bayern top of the Bundesliga with 14 points after six matches, ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference at that stage of the weekend.
Diaz’s display also answered questions about his start to the season. Bayern had drawn their previous Bundesliga match against Augsburg and their Champions League game against Norwegian side Viking. Against Leipzig, however, they scored six times before the visitors managed a late consolation goal.
How Diaz dismantled Leipzig
Diaz opened the scoring in the 12th minute, controlling Joshua Kimmich’s pass before shooting into the left corner. Fourteen minutes later, he turned provider, setting up Pavlović to double Bayern’s lead. Michael Olise added a third in the 34th minute after a move involving Konrad Laimer and Harry Kane.
Diaz struck again two minutes after halftime, curling a shot into the far corner after Kane released him on the left. Kane made it 5-0 in the 53rd minute, scoring in his 100th Bundesliga appearance after Nathaniel Brown supplied the pass.
What a night for hat-trick hero Lucho!
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 17, 2026https://t.co/XcCIZxSVHc
The Colombian completed his hat trick in the 69th minute, finishing from the edge of the penalty area after a short-corner routine involving Olise. Leipzig substitute Andrija Maksimović scored in stoppage time to make the final score 6-1.
Kimmich praised Diaz after the match, saying the winger had missed chances earlier in the season but had already delivered exceptional numbers during the previous campaign.
“I’m incredibly happy for Lucho — he really deserves this,” Kimmich said. “He played an outstanding game and was definitely the man of the match.”
From Liverpool’s Champions League to Bayern’s Bundesliga
The Leipzig match was Diaz’s third senior career hat trick, following a Champions League treble for Liverpool and his first three-goal performance for Bayern earlier in 2026.
On Nov. 5, 2024, Diaz scored three goals in Liverpool’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield. He opened the scoring in the 61st minute, scored his second in the 83rd, and completed his treble in stoppage time, helping Liverpool maintain their perfect start in the competition’s league phase.
His first Bayern hat trick came on Feb. 8, 2026, when the club beat Hoffenheim 5-1. Diaz scored in first-half stoppage time before adding goals in the 62nd and 89th minutes. Kane scored twice from the penalty spot in a match in which Hoffenheim played with 10 men for most of the contest.
The Leipzig treble was therefore Diaz’s second for Bayern in 2026. It followed a productive first season in Germany: Bundesliga.com reported that he contributed 26 goals and 23 assists across competitions during Bayern’s 2025-26 campaign. His ability to score and create chances gives coach Vincent Kompany another attacking option alongside Kane and Olise.
Can Bayern establish another period of dominance?
Bayern’s latest result strengthens the case that they remain the team to beat in Germany. They won the 2025-26 Bundesliga title and began their defense with another emphatic performance against Leipzig. Their attacking depth has allowed several players to influence matches, with Diaz’s treble complementing goals from Pavlović, Olise and Kane.
Still, one result cannot establish the beginning of a new era of dominance. Bayern’s two recent draws showed that the team can drop points, and their position in the table remains subject to other clubs’ results. Sustained success will depend on consistency in the Bundesliga and their ability to compete against Europe’s strongest sides.
The next test comes quickly. Bayern are scheduled to host Arsenal in the Champions League on Oct. 21, then travel to Freiburg for a Bundesliga match on Oct. 25. Their league meeting with Borussia Dortmund follows on Oct. 31.
For Diaz, the Leipzig performance was a timely reminder of the impact he can have when his finishing and creativity come together. For Bayern, it offered an encouraging start to the 2026-27 campaign, with a long season still ahead before any judgment on their longer-term dominance can be made.