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UCL 2024-25: Harry Kane delivered a stunning performance for Bayern Munich scoring four goals—including three penalties—in their remarkable 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at home on Tuesday. This victory marked a historic achievement as Bayern became the first team to score nine goals in a Champions League match.
Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot just 19 minutes into the game. His prolific scoring continued in the second half. where he netted a hat trick, bringing his Champions League tally to 33 goals to surpassing Wayne Rooney previous record of 30 goals and establishing himself as the highest-scoring Englishman in the competition history.
Despite the comfortable scoreline the match presented challenges for Bayern, particularly in the second half when they lost their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to injury. This incident seemed to disrupt their rhythm allowing Zagreb to mount a quick response and scoring two goals in just two minutes early in the half to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Michael Olise a former Crystal Palace player to made an impressive Champions League debut scoring two goals for Zagreb. Bayern attack featured goals from Raphael Guerreiro Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka and contributing to the team overall dominance. This victory was significant not just for the scoreline but also because it further solidified Bayern impressive record in opening matches of the Champions League. The club has won its last 20 opening games in the tournament a streak that dates back to the 2002-03 season. This win also eclipsed Bayern previous record of an 8-2 triumph over Barcelona in the 2020 quarter-finals.
Under the new single-league format of the Champions League, goal difference will play a crucial role, making this emphatic victory even more meaningful for Bayern. Early in the match Bayern demonstrated their attacking intent but were initially denied goals by narrow offside calls against Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry. the VAR intervened positively when it identified a foul on Aleksandar Pavlovic leading to Kane first penalty.
Kane converted the penalty smoothly sending Zagreb goalkeeper and Ivan Nevistic the wrong way. Following this Bayern began to control the match scoring two additional goals before half-time. Guerreiro netted after a superb assist from Musiala and Olise headed in a goal from a Joshua Kimmich corner marking a memorable debut for the young forward.
The game took a turn after the break when Neuer. who had been active early on, was substituted. This change appeared to unsettle Bayern allowing Zagreb to capitalize on their newfound momentum. Bruno Petkovic scored in the 48th minute followed quickly by Takuya Ogiwara goal and prompting the concerns among Bayern fans that the team might be reverting to the inconsistency seen in the previous season when they failed to win any trophies for the first time in 11 years.
Kane quickly shifted the tide back in Bayern’s favor. His three second-half goals within 22 minutes showcased his finishing ability and increased his total tally for the club to an impressive 53 goals in just 50 appearances. As the match progressed goals from Olise, Sané, and Goretzka sealed the dominant 9-2 win. In a noteworthy moment two-time Champions League winner Thomas Müller came on in the second half marking his 152nd appearance in the competition a record for most appearances by a player for a single club and surpassing the legendary Xavi of Barcelona.
This match not only highlighted Harry Kane incredible talent but also reinforced Bayern Munich status as a powerhouse in European football. With this dominant display and they are set to make a strong statement in their Champions League campaign.
UCL 2024-25: Young Yildiz doing Del Piero things for Juventus
The youngest generation of Aston Villa supporters wasn’t even born when the club last competed in European tournaments before the 2024-2025 season. Now, as the 11th English club to join the Champions League and Unai Emery Aston Villa made a strong return defeating BSC Young Boys 3-0 in their first away match.
In another notable comeback Serie A giants Juventus showcased their prowess by defeating PSV 3-1 marking their return to the Champions League. In a standout moment, young talent Kenan Yildiz scored a goal reminiscent of Alessandro Del Piero iconic style making history as the youngest-ever scorer in the competition for Juventus. The club had missed out on the previous season of the Champions League due to a ban for breaching UEFA club licensing and financial fair play regulations.
Kane conquers Wayne in Champions League
The debate over the greatest England striker in football history has been reignited as Harry Kane broke Wayne Rooney record on the opening day of the season. In a thrilling match against Dinamo Zagreb the Bayern Munich forward scored four goals contributing to an 11-goal encounter. With this performance. Kane now holds the record for the most Champions League goals by an English player bringing his total to 33 goals—three more than Rooney, the Manchester United and Everton legend. Kane converted two penalties during the match and his remarkable scoring ability helped Bayern set the record for the most goals in a single Champions League game.
Un-Real debut for Endrick; Mbappe delivers for Blancos
The discussion about who is the greatest England striker in football history has been reignited following Harry Kane record-breaking performance on the season opening day. In an exciting match against Dinamo Zagreb the Bayern Munich forward scored four goals, contributing to a remarkable total of 11 goals in the game.
This achievement has made Kane the holder of the record for the most Champions League goals by an English player, bringing his tally to 33 goals—three ahead of Wayne Rooney the iconic striker for Manchester United and Everton. Kane scored two of his goals from the penalty spot and his exceptional performance helped Bayern Munich set a new record for the most goals scored in a single Champions League match.
Bayern Munich 9-2 Dinamo Zagreb
It was a dominant display from Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena as they faced off against Dinamo Zagreb with the home side controlling the match from the start. Harry Kane opened the scoring with a penalty in the 20th minute after Aleksandar Pavlović was fouled in the box. Following that Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry both had goals disallowed for offside but Bayern continued to apply pressure.
They quickly extended their lead when Musiala skillfully set up Raphaël Guerreiro. who unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box to make it 2-0. Michael Olise then headed in a third goal just before half-time after a quickly taken short corner seemingly putting the game out of reach for the visitors. Dinamo Zagreb came out strong in the second half pulling a goal back just moments in. Bruno Petković scored from close range after a clever flick from Marko Pjaca. Almost immediately after Takuya Ogiwara broke through and slotted the ball past Sven Ulreich. who had come on for the injured Manuel Neuer.
Despite the setback, Bayern quickly regained control. Joshua Kimmich had a shot saved, but Kane was there to tap in the rebound. Kane then had another goal disallowed before Olise scored again tapping in after more excellent play from Musiala. Kane continued to dominate the match converting two more penalties and adding to his tally. Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka also found the net late on sealing an emphatic 9-2 victory for Bayern.
Match stats
- Bayern are bidding to win their seventh Champions League title, and first since 2019/20.
- Kane has now scored 33 Champions League goals surpassing the record of 30 set by Wayne Rooney for most tournament goals by an English player.
- Bayern have won their last 21 opening Champions League games dating back to a a 3-2 loss to Deportivo La Coruña in 2002/03.
- After opening his Bundesliga account for Bayern against Kiel at the weekend Olise got his first Champions League goals too.
- Müller has now made 152 Champions League appearances (all for Bayern). That means the 35-year-old has set a new competition record for most games for one club, overtaking Barcelona legend Xavi.
- Germany record champions beat Zagreb 5-0 at home and 2-0 away in the 2015/16 groups with Müller Neuer andKimmichall featuring in some capacity.
Line-ups
- Bayern:Neuer (c) (Ulreich 46′) – Kimmich, Kim (Dier 68′), Upamecano, Davies – Pavlović, Guerreiro (Goretzka 81′) – Olise (Sané 68′), Musiala (Müller 68′), Gnabry – Kane
- Unused subs:Schmitt, Coman, Palhinha, Laimer, Tel
- Out:Boey (knee), Buchmann (muscular), Ito (metatarsal), Peretz (thigh), Stanišić (knee)
- Doubtful:Ibrahimović (hamstring)
- Coach:Vincent Kompany
- Dinamo:Nevistić – Ristovski, Théophile-Catherine, Mmaee, Pierre-Gabriel (Špikić 73′) – Mišić, Rog (Stojković 46′) – Pjaca (Kulenović 62′), Baturina (Ademi 78′), Ogiwara (Hoxha 73′) – Petković (c)
- Unused subs:Zagorac, Filipović, Torrente, Bernauer, Kačavenda, Córdoba, Mbuku
- Out:Brekalo (knee), Moharrami (knee), Perkovic (knee)
- Coach:Sergej Jakirovic