Bayern, Dortmund advance into German Cup's last 16

Titleholders Bayern Munich progressed into the round of the last 16 after beating Augsburg 3-1, while Dortmund needed a penalty shootout to move 3-0 past lower league side Union Berlin during the second round of German Cup action on Wednesday.

Carlo Ancelotti's men cruised to a 3-1 win on home soil, as goals from Philipp Lahm, Julian Green and David Alaba eliminated Augsburg from the tournament.

The hosts grabbed a perfect start in front of 73,500 spectators at the Allianz Arena as Lahm broke the deadlock with a low shot from a sharp angle into the far post corner just two minutes into the game.

Bayern controlled the proceedings on the pitch against the passive visitors. Still, the German record-holding champions lacked in penetration and had to wait until the 41st minute before scoring again, as Green nodded home Thomas Mueller's cross into the box.

After the restart, Augsburg had a golden opportunity of goal from the penalty spot, as Mats Hummels brought down Gojko Kacer. But Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer denied Ja-Cheol Koo's shot on target with a diving save in the 49th minute.

Bayern should have enlarged the lead eight minutes later, but Mueller squandered another handball penalty before Dong-Won Ji reduced the arrears for the visitors out of the blue after beating Neuer from a sharp angle in the 69th minute.

However, Bayern remained in control of the reins and restored their two-goal lead in the dying minutes of the game as Alaba hammered home to round off the 3-1 win.

Borussia Dortmund booked their ticket for the next round as well, keeping their wits about them in the penalty shootout to beat second division team Union Berlin 3-0.

Union Berlin were able to hold the pace with the 'BVB' in the first half. However, an own goal from Michael Parensen gave the hosts the lead in the 44th minute.

Dortmund dominated the second half but they were unable to add another goal to their lead. Thus, Union Berlin levelled the scores against the run of the game when substitute Steven Skrzybski slotted home from 20 meters to force Dortmund into overtime.

After a goalless overtime, a penalty shootout was needed to bring the decision. Union missed all three shots from the spot meanwhile Ousmane Dembele, Matthias Ginter and Mario Goetze converted their shots from the spot to book a berth in the last 16.

Elsewhere, fourth division side FC Astoria Walldorf eliminated Darmstadt with courtesy of Nico Hillenbrand's first-half winner.

Wolfsburg craved out a 1-0 victory over Heidenheim as Mario Gomez scored the only goal of the game.

Second division team Greuther Fuerth bounced back to overcome Bundealiga side Mainz 2-1.

Schalke overpowered Nuremberg 3-2 thanks to a first-half brace from Yevhen Konoplyanka. Finally, Cologne knocked out Hoffenheim 2-1 owing to an Anthony Modeste goal in overtime. Endit