He broke the deadlock after a first half that included three red cards, before netting twice more.

Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala each got doubles while Thomas Muller also scored in the comfortable win.

Kane's long-range goal took advantage of Marcel Schuhen standing off his line, with the former Tottenham striker launching the ball over the Darmstadt goalkeeper's head after Bayern had overturned possession in their own half.

The game also saw Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer make his return after breaking his leg while skiing in December 2022.

The result means Bayern lead the Bundesliga with a one-point advantage, although they could be knocked off the top spot if Bayer Leverkusen beat Freiburg on Sunday.

Thomas Tuchel's Bayern face Borussia Dortmund next weekend.

Darmstadt are 14th and sit just two points above the relegation places.