Berlin, Jan 31 (IANS): Second-placed Wolfsburg shocked front-runners Bayern Munich 4-1 in the opening match of the second half of the German Bundesliga season.

The German football league record champions Friday night suffered the worst possible start to the second half as they registered their first loss of the season, reports Xinhua.

Wolfsburg staged a clinical performance to shock Bayern with two first half goals by Bas Dost and two second half goals by Kevin De Bruyne.

Wolfsburg caught a bright start on home soil as they broke the deadlock with just four minutes into the game when Bas Dost made use of Kevin De Bruyne's square pass to slot home into the far post corner following a fast break.

Bayern were shocked and unable to get a foothold into the game. Wolfsburg's fast breaks remained a threat for Bayern's defence.

As a consequence, Wolfsburg were able to double the lead just before the break, against hapless visitors from Bavaria, as Bas Dost sealed his brace when he hammered home a failed clearance attempt into the top right corner.

After the restart the hosts started where they left off whereas Bayern were still in search for their rhythm.

Wolfsburg continued with their clinical fast breaks and they were again successful as De Bruyne tripled the lead by beating Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer one-on-one into the bottom right with eight minutes into the second half.

Bayern were finally able to reduce the arrears to 1-3 through Juan Bernat who poked home a rebound from very close range minutes later.

However, things went from bad to worse for Bayern as De Bruyne restored the three-goal lead in the 73rd minute when he made use of a counter attack to overcome Bayern defender Dante and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, putting the game beyond doubt.

With the win second-placed Wolfsburg reduced Bayern's advantage at the top of the table to eight points.

"We would not have dreamed this victory but we played very smart today," Wolfsburg manager Klaus Allofs said after the game.