Kane Makes History as Bayern Book UCL
Last-eight Spot
Leverkusen, 12 Mar (ONA) — Harry
Kane made history as Bayern Munich confirmed their place in the UEFA Champions
League (UCL) quarter-finals with victory against Bayer Leverkusen.
The striker’s close-range finish in
the 52nd minute was his 10th in Europe this season, more than any other English
player has scored in a single campaign in the competition’s history.
Bayern came into the second-leg tie
with a 3-0 lead following a commanding performance at home last week, and were
again the better side in Leverkusen.
Vincent Kompany’s men posed the
greater threat in the first half, with Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman both
firing narrowly wide.
Leverkusen needed to come out and
attack after the break, but it was Bayern who put the tie beyond doubt when
Patrik Schick’s attempted clearance of a Joshua Kimmich free-kick fell straight
at the feet of Kane who bundled home from a few yards out.
With their star man Florian Wirtz
ruled out with an ankle ligament injury, the hosts lacked invention and impact
in the attacking third.
Xabi Alonso’s side were looking to
become only the fifth side in Champions League history to overturn a three-goal
first leg deficit, yet it took them 65 minutes to register a shot on target,
BBC sports reported.
Jeremie Frimpong forced Bayern
goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into a smart low stop, before Schick headed straight at
the visiting stopper moments later.
Leverkusen’s desperation left more space
for Bayern to exploit and Alphonso Davies took full advantage by converting
Kane’s cross from close range in the 71st minute.
The England captain then spurned a
good chance to add a third when he placed wide under little pressure, before he
rattled the crossbar with a snap-shot on the turn. Jamal Musiala also struck
the post from a tight angle with 10 minutes left after being sent away by Serge
Gnabry’s pass.
Bayern will face Inter Milan in the
quarter-finals after the Italian Serie A champions defeated Feyenoord. The
first leg will take place on 7/8 April 2025 with the second leg a week later.
— Ends/Khalid
