The timing of this blockbuster clash appeared crucial in determining whether a Bundesliga title race would ensue heading into the final 10 games of the season.
In a cauldron-like atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park, Michael Olise had the game’s first clear-cut chance when his left-footed strike was parried to safety by Gregor Kobel.
There was another heart-in-mouth moment for the hosts when Nico Schlotterbeck’s studs-up challenge caught Josip Stanisic, but he escaped with just a yellow card.
That controversial call proved to be telling, as Schlotterbeck rose brilliantly to convert an excellent header from Daniel Svensson's free-kick and draw first blood for BVB with 26 minutes on the clock, continuing their remarkable record of scoring in all 24 of their Bundesliga matches so far this season.
The match was being played at a breathless pace, and Maximilian Beier could have made it two when his close-range shot was blocked.
It had been a frustrating first half for a Bayern side that had dominated possession without doing too much with it, and they could have been two goals down shortly after the restart had Jonathan Tah not made a superb challenge to prevent Svensson from pulling the trigger inside the box.
The visitors pressed forward in response, with Dayot Upamecano agonisingly close to sliding home Serge Gnabry’s ball at the far post.
However, Vincent Kompany’s side restored parity via a very familiar source when Kane coolly dispatched a left-footed strike after Gnabry nodded Joshua Kimmich’s lofted pass into the England captain’s path.
Dortmund responded in encouraging fashion, with Beier having two opportunities in quick succession to regain the lead, while Yan Couto was not far away from finding the target with his left-footed effort.
Any encouragement gained from those chances soon turned into despair when Schlotterbeck was penalised for clipping Stanisic in the box, and Kane was successful from the spot to score his 30th Bundesliga goal of the season, and 45th in all competitions.
That broke his personal club record in a single season after netting 44 goals in 45 appearances last term.
However, just when it looked as though Kane would be the match-winner, Svensson’s incredible first-time left-footed volley from Marcel Sabitzer’s cross put the hosts back on level terms.
But the final twist of this absorbing match would go in Bayern’s favour, as Joshua Kimmich’s excellent left-footed volley of his own ensured the visitors would take all three points back to Bavaria.
It was a goal which ended Dortmund’s 16-match unbeaten league run, leaving their forlorn title challenge in tatters.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)
