Harry Kane set a new Champions League scoring record for English players as Bayern Munich comfortably defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-0, securing a 5-0 aggregate victory and a place in the quarter-finals. Kane’s close-range finish in the 52nd minute was his 10th goal in the competition this season, surpassing the previous record for an English player in a single campaign.
Bayern Munich, carrying a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg, controlled much of the first half. Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman both fired narrowly wide, demonstrating the hosts’ attacking intent.
Leverkusen, missing key attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz due to an ankle ligament injury, struggled to create chances. It took them 65 minutes to register a shot on target, with Jeremie Frimpong forcing a save from Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who deputized for the injured Manuel Neuer. Patrik Schick then headed straight at Urbig moments later.
The tie was effectively settled when Kane scored Bayern’s first. Patrik Schick’s attempted clearance from a Joshua Kimmich free-kick fell directly to Kane, who bundled the ball home from a few yards out.
Alphonso Davies added a second in the 71st minute, converting Kane’s cross from close range. Kane then missed a good chance to score again, placing a shot wide under little pressure before rattling the crossbar with a snap-shot on the turn. Jamal Musiala also hit the post.
Bayern Emerge as Contenders Despite Early Season Struggles
Bayern Munich will face Inter Milan in the quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for April 7th or 8th and the second leg a week later. The comfortable aggregate victory over Leverkusen, coupled with their strong domestic form (eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga), positions Bayern as serious contenders for the Champions League title despite a shaky start to the season.
Vincent Kompany took charge last summer after a season in which Bayern failed to win any silverware. Early European defeats to Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Feyenoord raised doubts, but the team has since found its rhythm. They scraped past Celtic in the play-off round last month.
While questions remain about Bayern’s defense, particularly in Neuer’s absence, their attacking firepower is undeniable. Kane has now scored 32 goals in 36 games across all competitions in his debut season and is in contention to be the Champions League top scorer for a second consecutive campaign. The performances of Musiala, Olise, and Coman and the resurgence of Leon Goretzka provide further attacking options.
“To beat this team 5-0 [on aggregate] shows the type of team we are and the path we are on,” said Kane. “It’s never easy to start with a 3-0 lead, but the intensity we showed, we had the beter chances, we knew the game would open up in second half and we took our chances. We try not to listen to the noise too much, we know what we’re capable of. This will only give us confidence performing against a top side.”
Should Bayern overcome Inter, they would face either Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, or Lille in the semi-finals. With the final to be held at their own Allianz Arena, Bayern will be highly motivated to reach the showpiece event for the first time since 2020.
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