Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich claimed a 3-1 victory over Chelsea in their Champions League group stage opener on Wednesday night in Munich.
The hosts took the lead after 20 minutes when Michael Olise forced Trevoh Chalobah into an own goal under pressure. Just seven minutes later, Kane won and converted a penalty to double Bayern’s advantage.
Chelsea responded almost immediately, with Cole Palmer finishing off a slick counter-attack just two minutes later to pull one back for the visitors.
However, Kane struck again midway through the second half, capitalising on a defensive error from Malo Gusto to restore Bayern’s two-goal cushion and secure all three points.
Speaking after the match, England captain Kane admitted that facing Premier League opposition gives him an extra edge: “It motivates me to play better,” he said. The former Tottenham striker now has 10 goals in just six games this season.
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, the only remaining player from the 2012 Champions League final between these two sides—won by Chelsea in Munich—marked his 100th Champions League victory. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Thomas Müller, and Iker Casillas have more.
The win extends Bayern Munich’s remarkable record in Champions League openers, with 22 consecutive victories in tournament curtain-raisers dating back to a 2002 loss to Deportivo La Coruna.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca restored Cole Palmer and three others to the starting XI after facing criticism for rotating heavily in their disappointing 2-2 draw at Brentford over the weekend.
The visitors started brightly, pressing Bayern high and forcing errors early on. But Bayern soon found their rhythm and went ahead when Chalobah mishandled an Olise cross and turned it into his own net.
Kane doubled the lead from the spot after Moisés Caicedo conceded a penalty with a clumsy challenge. Caicedo redeemed himself moments later, orchestrating a swift move that allowed Palmer to score and bring Chelsea back into the match.
Bayern ramped up the pressure early in the second half, with Konrad Laimer, Olise, and Kane all forcing saves in a spell of sustained pressure.
Kane’s second came after intercepting a poor back-pass from Gusto, coolly slotting the ball into the far corner. The 32-year-old striker was substituted in stoppage time to a standing ovation, making way for Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson, who came on to make his Champions League debut—ironically, against his parent club.
