Defending champion Bayer Leverkusen scored against the run of play through Nathan Tella in the second half to beat 10-man hosts Bayern Munich 1-0 on Tuesday and move into the quarterfinals of the DFB Cup.

It was the first league or domestic cup defeat of the season for Bundesliga leaders Bayern, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sent off with a red card in the 17th minute, the first sending off in the 38-year-old’s long career.

The defeat means Bayern have not made it past the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup since their last win in 2020.

Both teams were missing their best strikers, with Leverkusen without Victor Boniface and Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane sidelined for weeks after suffering an injury in Bayern’s draw with Borussia Dortmund last week.

In a pulsating opening battle, both teams fought for control until Bayern’s new boy Jeremie Frimpong body-checked outside the penalty area and was given his marching orders with a red card.

The hosts had to switch to substitute keeper Daniel Peretz for Leroy Sane, but still had the better chances in the first half thanks to Kingsley Coman, Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka.

However, Leverkusen struck against the run of play in the 69th minute when Tella, who had been substituted eight minutes earlier, headed in a superb cross from Alex Grimaldo.

Bayern struggled to create chances until Michael Olise missed an effort in stoppage time and Leverkusen maintained their slim lead to keep their German Cup title defense on track.