Harry Kane etched his name in history as Bayern Munich secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Kane’s close-range strike in the 52nd minute marked his 10th goal in Europe this season, a feat that set a new record for the most goals scored by an English player in a single Champions League campaign.
Bayern entered the second-leg encounter with a dominant 3-0 advantage following their impressive performance at home the previous week, and once again they proved the stronger side in Leverkusen. The home team, managed by Vincent Kompany, was the more threatening side in the first half, with both Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman narrowly missing the target.
Leverkusen, needing to score and create chances to mount a comeback, struggled after the break. It was Bayern, however, who sealed the tie in the 52nd minute. A Joshua Kimmich free-kick was poorly cleared by Patrik Schick, and the loose ball fell straight to Kane, who bundled it home from a few yards out. With Florian Wirtz, their star player, sidelined due to an ankle ligament injury, Leverkusen lacked the creativity and cutting edge in the final third.
Despite ambitions to become only the fifth team in Champions League history to overturn a three-goal deficit, Leverkusen only managed to record their first shot on target in the 65th minute. Jeremie Frimpong’s low effort was stopped by Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, and moments later, Schick’s header was comfortably saved. The home side’s growing desperation opened up more space for Bayern to exploit, and Alphonso Davies made the most of it by converting Kane’s cross from close range in the 71st minute.
Kane then had a chance to add a third, but he placed a shot wide under minimal pressure. He came even closer with a powerful snap-shot that rattled the crossbar, and Jamal Musiala also hit the post from a tight angle after a well-timed pass from Serge Gnabry.
With the win, Bayern Munich advances to the quarter-finals, where they will face Inter Milan, who triumphed over Feyenoord. The first leg of their quarter-final tie is scheduled for April 7/8, with the return leg set for the following week.
