Robert Lewandowski saved his team from a humiliating German Cup exit as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat second-tier Heidenheim in a 5-4 thriller on Wednesday.

Bayern were 2-1 down at half-time having gone down to ten men early in the game, and threw away a two-goal lead in the second half.

Yet Lewandowski’s late winner ended a rollercoaster resistance from Heidenheim and sent Bayern into the semi-finals.

Everything seemed to be going according to script when Bayern took the lead from a corner on 12 minutes. Leon Goretzka was left unmarked to head the ball in from point blank range.

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Yet the script went up in flames when Bayern went down to ten men just minutes later.

Niklas Suele was initially booked for a challenge on Robert Andrich, but a video review convinced the referee that Suele had denied Andrich a goalscoring opportunity.

The red card galvanised Heidenheim and they forced several chances before Robert Glatzel headed in the equaliser just before the half-hour mark.

Ten minutes later, the Allianz Arena was silenced as Marc Schnatterer fired Heidenheim in front.

Thomas Mueller brought Bayern level after half-time, turning in Lewandowski’s header with a marvellous, swivelling finish.

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He then returned the favour three minutes later, setting up Lewandowski to restore the lead for Bayern.

Serge Gnabry added a fourth for Bayern on 65 minutes, slotting the ball in at the far post at a corner.

Yet Glatzel stunned Bayern again when he scored twice in three minutes to make it 4-4.

Having pulled a goal back on 74 minutes, the Heidenheim striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

It ended in disappointment for Heidenheim, however, as a handball at the other end allowed Lewandowski to score the winner with an 84th minute penalty.