Manchester United are defeated 4-3 by Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener; Harry Kane scores the game-winning penalty.
Bayern Munich defeats Manchester United 4-3 in their Champions League debut; Harry Kane converts the game-winning penalty.
Bayern was awarded a penalty for a handball by Christian Eriksen with the score 2-1. Following a close-range header by Dayot Upamecano, the ball touched Eriksen’s hand accidently inside the penalty area.
VAR brought referee Glenn Nyberg to the pitchside monitor and awarded the spot-kick after a review. Kane went up confidently and fired into the corner, avoiding Andre Onana to make it 3-1 and effectively seal Bayern’s triumph.
However, as Kane prepared to take the penalty, he was confronted by United defender Lisandro Martinez, who locked eyes with him and had a few words with him. Sergio Reguilon was also close by, seeking to shake Kane, until United captain Bruno Fernandes interfered and separated the two.
Neither Martinez’s remarks nor Onana’s efforts could dissuade United, who have now lost three straight games for the first time since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over in 2019. Martinez’s altercation with Kane did not finish there, as the Argentine international later shoved the English striker near the sideline.
Bayern player Leon Goretzka objected to the foul that caused Kane to collide with the linesman, resulting in a shoving altercation between Goretzka and Martinez. The referee showed both players yellow cards, but it was Goretzka and Kane who had reason to smile that night.
Bayern took the lead in the 28th minute when Leroy Sane exchanged passes before firing a shot from the edge of the box that Onana pushed into the corner. Four minutes later, Jamal Musiala broke into the penalty area and set up Serge Gnabry for a shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
Rasmus Hojlund cut the deficit, although with a significant deflection, thanks to Marcus Rashford’s assist. The joy, however, was short-lived, as Eriksen’s handball provided Kane with a great opportunity, which he duly took advantage of.
As Thomas Tuchel’s team proved their prowess, Sane hit the post and Onana made many saves. United responded with another goal from Casemiro, but Mathys Tel came off the bench to make it 4-2 with a stunning finish. Casemiro then glanced in Bruno Fernandes’ free kick deep into added time to make it 4-3, but it was too little, too late.
United travelled to Bavaria with several key players injured, and they will now face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday night. Paul Scholes predicted the difficulties that United would have before the game. “That team does worry me slightly,” he admitted on TNT Sports.
