Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored twice in two minutes to lead the champions to a nervy 3-2 victory at Hertha Berlin on Saturday as they went top of the Bundesliga.

The 33-year-old Cameroon forward is in scintillating form less than three weeks before his country play in the World Cup, having netted for the seventh consecutive game in all competitions and the fourth straight in the league.

“I am thrilled for him. He is very important for us,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann. “He had the quality but last season he was away for five and a half months with, injuries, back problems, coronavirus and the Africa Cup (of Nations).”

“We know he has unique qualities and he is showing them now,” Nagelsmann added.

The Bavarians also saw the return of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer following a month-long absence due to a shoulder injury that was seen as possibly risking his World Cup participation.

Neuer is expected to be Germany’s first-choice for a fourth consecutive World Cup.

His Germany teammate, Jamal Musiala gave the visitors an early lead, rifling in after 12 minutes and highlighting his own form ahead of the tournament in Qatar.

Neuer showed he was back to his best when he spectacularly tipped a Marco Richter curled effort over the bar in the 27th.

Dortmund cruise

Cup hopeful Youssoufa Moukoko scored twice as Borussia Dortmund cruised past local Ruhr rivals VfL Bochum 3-0.

The 17-year-old Moukoko could not have delivered a better pitch ahead of Germany coach Hansi Flick’s squad announcement next week, confirming his outstanding form when he rifled in from 18 metres to give Dortmund the lead in the eighth minute.

Moukoko, who became the youngest player to reach 10 career goals in the Bundesliga, added another on the stroke of half-time after Gio Reyna had made it 2-0. He audaciously lobbed the ball over out-of-position keeper Manuel Riemann.