Bayern Munich secured a record-extending ninth consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday without kicking a ball after RB Leipzig’s 2-3 defeat at Borussia Dortmund kept the Bavarians seven points clear with two games left for their rivals.

That they won their own game later, against Borussia Moenchengladbach, only doubled the joy.

Bayern demolished Moenchengladbach 6-0 with a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski, who edged closer to a 49-year-old scoring record.

Lewandowski, who now has 39 goals, one shy of Gerd Mueller’s imposing record of 40 league goals in one Bundesliga season dating back to 1971-72, needed only two minutes to open his account with a shot from a tight angle.

Tanguy Nianzou was sent off in the 75th with a straight red card for a rustic challenge five minutes after coming on, but even with 10 men, Bayern maintained their domination scoring their last goal four minutes from the end.

Besides Lewandowski, Thomas Muelller, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane were the other scorers for Bayern.

Mueller and David Alaba became the first Bundesliga players to win 10 league titles.

Bayern, who have now won 30 Bundesliga titles since the introduction of the top division in 1963, and 31 German league crowns in total, are on 74 points. Leipzig stayed second on 64.

Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho scored twice, including an 87th- minute winner to beat Leipzig, who have yet to seal their Champions League spot for next season.

Bayern enjoyed less success this season than their six-trophy winning run in 2019-20 but they remained the most consistent team in the league led by striker Lewandowski.