Lewandowski nets late winner as Bayern Munich beat Freiburg

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Robert Lewandowski's late winner helped Bayern Munich see off a game Freiburg squad to start the 2017 portion of their campaign with a 2-1 victory.

The Poland international produced a brilliant individual effort when it looked like Bayern were headed for a 1-1 draw to put his team six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table as play resumed after the league's winter break.

Freiburg jumped out to an early lead with a well-worked team move that sprang Janik Haberer in the Bayern penalty area in the fourth minute and his blistering shot beat Manuel Neuer at the far post.

Douglas Costa nearly set up Lewandowski for the equaliser in the 34th minute with a volleyed cross into the Freiburg penalty, but his shot from close range somehow blazed over the crossbar.

Minutes later, Lewandowski would make good for his earlier miss with a first-time volley following a Costa corner kick to make it 1-1 ahead of the interval.

Bayern had the better of possession throughout the second half, but the resolute hosts didn't afford many chances to the Bundesliga leaders, who upped their tempo in the final 10 minutes as full-time approached.

And the pressure nearly told in the 82nd minute when a poorly punched clearance by Freiburg's goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow fell to Arjen Robben's feet, but the Netherlands international volley curved wide of the goal.

Freiburg hit back on the counter after the sequence and almost had a dream winner from Maximilian Philipp, but his blistering left-footed shot, which had Neuer beaten, went just wide of the far post.

But Lewandowski spoiled the dream ending for Freiburg in extra time to double his goals tally on the day and send Bayern Munich home with all three points.