Gomez scores hat-trick as Bayern reach final

FC Bayern München remain on course for a treble haul of trophies after overwhelming VfL Wolfsburg 6-1 in the German Cup semi-finals thanks in part to a quick-fire hat-trick from Mario Gomez.

Introduced in place of Mario Mandžukić, who started the scoring, with a little under a quarter of an hour remaining, Gomez struck after 80, 83 and 86 minutes at the Fußball Arena München.

Xherdan Shaqiri was involved in four of the Bundesliga champions' goals as the 15-times cup winners breezed through to the showpiece for the third time in four seasons.

The Swiss international released Arjen Robben down the right to cross for the opener before seizing on an errant pass from the visitors, driving forward and piercing the Wolfsburg defence with a ball which Robben lifted over the goalkeeper.

Though Diego halved the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists' advantage on the cusp of half-time with a powerful drive, Shaqiri restored Bayern's two-goal cushion from the edge of the penalty box, before teeing up Gomez for his first of a remarkable cameo.

Elsewhere, ES Troyes AC and FC Lorient qualified for the last four of the French Cup. Bottom of Ligue 1, Troyes beat fellow strugglers AS Nancy-Lorraine 3-0 at home, all the goals coming in the second half. Jérémie Aliadière struck in added time as Lorient won 2-1 at AS Saint-Étienne, who on Saturday play Stade Rennais FC in the League Cup final.