Bayern receive 26th title, Stuttgart relegated in German Bundesliga

Bayern received their fourth consecutive league title after beating already relegated Hannover 3-1 while Stuttgart were relegated into the second division following a 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg on the last match day of the 53rd Bundesliga season on Saturday.

Newly crowned champions Bayern Munich rounded off their season with a 3-1 victory over Hannover, who will play in the second division next season.

Josep Guardiola's men cruised to the 28th victory of the campaign as Robert Lewandowski broke the deadlock with just 12 minutes into the game to extend his goal tally. The Polish international is now the first player since Dieter Mueller (1976-1977) who scored 30 goals in one season.

Hannover threatened Bayern now and than but the hosts remained in control of the proceedings after Mario Goetze doubled the lead with a chip into the far post corner with seven minutes from half time.

Goetze remained in the thick of things as he wrapped up his brace after the restart when he slotted home from 17 meters following a corner. Despite the 3-0 deficit, Hannover pulled one back through Artur Sobiech, who controlled a long ball to tap the ball past substitute custodian Sven Ulreich in the 66th minute.

After the final whistle, Bundesliga president Reinhard Rauball handed the German record champions the "Meisterschale". The "Bavarians" have now reaped the league title for the fourth time in row and the 26th time overall. The team and officials will celebrate the title with their supporters in Munich's New Town Hall on Sunday.

Stuttgart were relegated into the second division for the second time in the club's history as Wolfsburg earned a 3-1 win to seal the visitors' relegation.

Maximilian Arnold gave the "Wolves" the lead after poking home Marcel Schaefer's cross into the box with 10 minutes into the game. Daniel Caligiuiri's solo run following a fast break allowed Andre Schuerrle to complete the 2-0 lead for Wolfsburg at the half-hour mark.

Daniel Didavi's free kick goal reduced the arrears but Wolfsburg piled on the pressure to restore their two-goal advantage by courtesy of Schuerrle, who sewed up his brace in the dying minutes of the encounter.

With the result, eight-placed Wolfsburg end Stuttgart's 38-year stay in Germany's first division.

Werder Bremen escaped relegation thanks to a hard earned 1-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, whose top-flight status depend on a two-legged play-off against lower league side Nuremberg.

Frankfurt caught the better start into the match but they failed to make the most of their chances in the opening period. After the break, Bremen took over yet failed to create clear-cut opportunities. It had to come the 88th minute before Papy Djibodji's decider secured the "Green-Whites" the Bundesliga survival.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund conclude their season on the second position of the standings despite a two-all draw with Cologne on home soil. Thomas Tuchel's men still have the chance to lift one title this season as they face Bayern in the German Cup final in Berlin on May 21.

Third placed Bayer Leverkusen booked their ticket for Europe's elite competition and completed their season with a 3-2 triumph over newly promoted Ingolstadt.

Monchengladbach will play in the UEFA Champions League play-offs after securing the fourth place with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Darmstadt.

Mainz and Berlin shared the spoil following a goalless draw after 90 minutes while Michal Gregoritsch's brace helped Hamburg to beat Augsburg 3-1, and Schalke crushed Hoffenheim 4-1.

The Bundesliga season 2016-2017 will kick-off on August 26. Endit