Harry Kane earned Bayern Munich a priceless 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Kane returned from an ankle injury to net his 49th goal of the season in 41 appearances for the German side when he brilliantly side-footed in from the edge of the penalty area just 20 seconds into the second half, adding to Luis Diaz’s clinical finish that came shortly before half-time.
Kylian Mbappe finally beat Bayern’s magnificent 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who made nine saves, with a tap-in from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fine cross to pull one back for the hosts in the 74th minute and make their task less daunting when they head to the Allianz Arena next Wednesday.
Both sides had 20 shots each, with 17 of them on target in a breathless tie that lived up to its billing. Bayern showed why many are tipping them as favourites for the competition in the first half, but Real were always a threat on the counter through Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
Neuer denied the pair multiple times while Bayern centre-back Dayot Upamecano somehow failed to score from just yards out, with Alvaro Carreras clearing his effort off the line. It was a rare positive moment for the Real left-back, who was run ragged by the unplayable Michael Olise all evening.
Serge Gnabry also wasted a clear opportunity when Real played themselves into trouble, but the Bayern forward combined with Kane late in the half and slipped in Diaz to slot in the opener.
Kane had a quiet first half, none of the chances falling his way, until Bayern caught Real cold after the restart. Olise teed up the striker on the edge of the box and he expertly finished into the bottom right corner.
Vinicius was jeered by the home fans when he missed the target from an angle after rounding Neuer and Mbappe still couldn’t find a way past the goalkeeper either with his low shot that was tipped behind.
However, the introduction of Jude Bellingham gave the hosts a lift and Alexander-Arnold showed his crossing ability, driving the ball low across the area for Mbappe to tap in despite Neuer getting a hand to push it onto the underside of the crossbar before it crossed the line.
Neuer had to save again from Vinicius and Bayern sub Jamal Musiala wasted a late chance to leave the second leg nicely poised.
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