Kane’s deadly double powers Bayern to UCL quarter-final brink
Kane’s double sinks Leverkusen
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Bayern Munich took a major step towards the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over 10-man Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Harry Kane led the charge with a clinical brace, while Jamal Musiala capitalised on a defensive blunder to add to Leverkusen’s woes.
The Bundesliga leaders struggled to cope with Bayern’s attacking firepower, especially after Nordi Mukiele’s second-half dismissal left them a man short.
The Bavarians wasted no time asserting their dominance, breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute. Kane met Michael Olise’s precise cross with a bullet header, giving goalkeeper Matej Kovar no chance.
Leverkusen nearly responded through Jeremie Frimpong four minutes later, but Manuel Neuer produced a spectacular save to preserve Bayern’s lead.
Bayern continued to dictate the tempo and came close to doubling their advantage in the 25th minute when Kingsley Coman narrowly missed the target from the edge of the box.
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The breakthrough eventually came in the 54th minute after a costly mistake from Kovar gifted Musiala a simple finish inside the area.
Leverkusen’s hopes of mounting a comeback took a decisive blow in the 62nd minute when Mukiele received his second yellow card for a desperate challenge, reducing Xabi Alonso’s side to ten men.
Bayern seized the opportunity to put the game beyond reach, with VAR awarding them a penalty in the 73rd minute for a handball inside the box. Kane stepped up and coolly converted, sending Kovar the wrong way to seal a resounding victory.
Leroy Sané came close to adding a fourth in the closing minutes, but his long-range effort narrowly cleared the bar.
Despite the missed chance, Bayern’s dominant display leaves them in full control ahead of the second leg in Leverkusen.
