Germany's starlet Thomas Mueller scored a hat-trick yesterday as Bayern Munich secured a 3-1 home win over Bochum which, barring a last weekend miracle, guarantees them this season's Bundesliga title.
With second-placed Schalke 04 losing 2-0 at home to Werder Bremen, the Royal Blues now trail Bayern by three points while Munich have a vastly superior goal difference of plus-17 with just one game left each.
It means Bayern's Dutch coach Louis van Gaal will win the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge with his side still on course for the treble of German League, German Cup and Champions League crowns.
The Dutchman can also now add the Bundesliga title to the La Liga crown he won with Barcelona in Spain and last season's Dutch league with AZ Alkmaar.
"The board of directors told me a year ago that this is the most important title to win: now we have achieved it, I am very proud," said Van Gaal.
Schalke coach Felix Magath's dream of winning the German league with three different teams is on ice for another year as the Royal Blues lost at home to Bremen.
Third-placed Bremen took the lead when Germany midfielder Mesut Oezil hit a left-footed shot just after half-time.
The guests then played a big part in deciding the title will go to Munich when striker Hugo Almeida scored on 64 minutes to make it 2-0.
Stuttgart's chances of a top-five finish to claim a European spot for next season suffered a blow when they were held 2-2 at home by Mainz as Romanian striker Ciprian Marica rescued them with two second-half goals.
Hamburg bounced back from last week's Europa League exit with a 4-0 win over Nuremberg which leaves their opponents in the relegation zone.
Hertha's relegation was confirmed by their 1-1 draw at Leverkusen as the league's bottom side are four points from safety and face Bayern in the final game of the season next Saturday.
Hanover gave themselves a strong chance of staying in the Bundesliga with an incredible 6-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
This was only their eighth win of the season, but they led 4-0 at half-time as 'Gladbach's defence capitulated.
The win leaves Hanover 15th, just above the relegation zone, and Mirko Slomka's side must beat Bochum next Saturday on the last day of the season to be sure of survival.