Harry Kane delivered a match-winning performance as Bayern Munich opened their Champions League campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Chelsea in Munich. The England captain struck twice, underlining his status as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards while guiding Bayern to a perfect start in Group action.
The game started with Chelsea showing aggression and pressing high, forcing Bayern onto the back foot in the opening minutes. However, the hosts gradually found their rhythm and were rewarded when Trevoh Chalobah turned a Michael Olise cross into his own net after 20 minutes. Just seven minutes later, Kane doubled Bayern’s advantage from the penalty spot after Moises Caicedo’s clumsy challenge in the box.
Chelsea responded almost instantly, cutting the deficit within two minutes. A swift counter-attack ended with Cole Palmer finishing off a flowing move to make it 2-1, injecting belief back into the visitors.
The second half saw Bayern reassert control, with wave after wave of pressure testing Chelsea’s defensive resolve. Konrad Laimer and Olise both came close before Kane seized on a misplaced pass from Malo Gusto to score his second of the night. The precise finish into the far corner sealed Bayern’s win and brought his tally to 10 goals in just six matches this season.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will reflect on costly errors that handed Bayern the initiative but stressed that his side can build from the performance. With seven group-stage games remaining, the London club still has time to recover.
For Bayern, the win extended their remarkable run of 22 consecutive victories in Champions League openers, a streak stretching back to 2002. Captain Manuel Neuer, playing his 100th match in the competition, also celebrated another milestone in an illustrious career.
While Kane took the headlines, Bayern’s overall display was a mix of resilience, quality, and clinical finishing. New coach Vincent Kompany urged caution against overconfidence, reminding his players that the Champions League is a marathon, not a sprint. Still, with Kane in red-hot form and the team looking sharp, Bayern sent a strong message to their rivals across Europe.
The Bavarians will now look to carry this momentum into domestic competition before their next Champions League test, while Chelsea must regroup quickly to avoid falling behind in the group stage.
