Luis Díaz and Harry Kane struck to give Bayern Munich a crucial 2-1 win over Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.
A late goal from Kylian Mbappé, 16 minutes from time, handed the 15-time European champions a lifeline in a gripping encounter.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern, widely regarded as one of Europe’s strongest sides this season, delivered a dominant first-half performance and could have been comfortably ahead before the break.
Instead, they had only Díaz’s opener to show for their control, before Kane doubled the lead early in the second half. Mbappé’s strike, however, ensured Álvaro Arbeloa’s side remain firmly in the tie.
“It’s a shame it wasn’t 2-0 at the end, to be completely honest,” said Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who made several key saves as Madrid surged late on. “You know how dangerous Real Madrid are, we saw that again today. First, we’re happy with the away win, but it’ll be a tough challenge back in Munich.”
Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger admitted his side paid the price for mistakes but insisted the tie remains open.
“For me, the two goals we conceded were gifts, and in the second half we needed more,” he said. “We’re still alive, everything is open after Mbappé’s goal.”
The clash, the 29th meeting between the two European heavyweights, lived up to its billing as a classic.
Bayern started brightly, with Konrad Laimer firing narrowly over as the visitors signalled their attacking intent. After nine matches without a win against Madrid, the German champions looked determined to end that run.
They should have taken the lead earlier when Dayot Upamecano missed from close range, allowing Álvaro Carreras to clear off the line. Madrid, largely pinned back, relied on counter-attacks through Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, both denied by Neuer.
The breakthrough came in the 41st minute through a slick move. Serge Gnabry combined with Kane before slipping the ball behind Trent Alexander-Arnold for Díaz, who calmly finished past Andriy Lunin.
Kane, who had been a doubt due to an ankle issue, made an immediate impact after the restart. Set up by Michael Olise, he curled a precise effort into the bottom corner to make it 2-0, his 11th Champions League goal of the season.
Madrid responded after the introduction of Jude Bellingham, raising the tempo and intensity. Vinícius wasted a good chance before Mbappé finally broke through in the 74th minute, meeting a low cross from Alexander-Arnold and smashing in off the crossbar.
Bayern pushed for a third, with Kane volleying narrowly wide, but had to settle for a slender advantage ahead of next week’s second leg in Munich.
AFP
