Bayern Munich’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) opener will live long in the memory as Harry Kane netted four goals for the first time in a Bayern shirt, leading the German side to an emphatic 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian champions never stood a chance against a Bayern side in total control, cementing their dominance early on. It was a night of high drama, breathtaking goals, and a stunning resurgence from the visitors, only for Bayern to reassert their authority ruthlessly.
First Half: Bayern’s Dominance Set the Tone
Playing in their 17th consecutive UCL campaign, Bayern Munich wasted no time asserting themselves. They pinned Dinamo back from the get-go, controlling possession and applying relentless pressure. The breakthrough took just 19 minutes, with a beautifully orchestrated move that saw Serge Gnabry slot the ball into the back of the net. While the goal was disallowed for offside, a foul in the build-up handed Bayern a lifeline—Harry Kane coolly converted from the spot for his third penalty of the season, giving Bayern the lead.
The first goal was just the beginning. Bayern doubled their advantage when Gnabry delivered a brilliant lofted pass to Jamal Musiala, who expertly cushioned the ball for Raphaël Guerreiro to fire home from the edge of the box. The floodgates opened further as Michael Olise, fresh from his Bundesliga debut goal, headed in Joshua Kimmich’s cross to make it 3-0 before halftime. Dinamo Zagreb struggled to keep up with the pace and fluidity of Bayern’s attack.
Dinamo’s Brief Resurgence
Despite their dominance, Bayern faced an unexpected setback in the second half. Returning from injury, Manuel Neuer had to be replaced at halftime following a heavy landing. Sven Ulreich stepped in, but the Bavarians were caught off-guard by a spirited Dinamo comeback. Dinamo Zagreb struck twice within three minutes, with Bruno Petković sliding home Marko Pjaca’s clever flick and Takuya Ogiwara slipping the ball through Ulreich’s legs to cut Bayern’s lead to just one goal.
Dinamo’s fans were in full voice, sensing a chance to pull off a shocking upset. However, Bayern quickly regained control and showcased their relentless attack once again.
Kane’s Heroics and Bayern’s Goalfest
After weathering Dinamo’s resurgence, Bayern resumed their free-flowing football and restored their 3-goal cushion in the 62nd minute. Harry Kane thought he had completed his hat-trick after tapping in two quick rebounds, but one was ruled offside. Nevertheless, the English striker was not to be denied, adding two more goals from the penalty spot to take his tally to four for the evening.
With the match well beyond Dinamo’s reach, Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka came off the bench to add to the tally, capping a remarkable 9-2 victory. Bayern Munich’s free-scoring performance sent a message to the rest of Europe, proving again why they are one of the favourites for UCL glory this season.
What’s Next?
This result continues Bayern’s stellar record at the Allianz Arena, where they’ve only been beaten once in their last 26 European home games. This was a harsh lesson for Dinamo Zagreb, and they will now look to regroup before their clash with Monaco next month. The Croatian champions have struggled in Europe’s top competition and will hope to improve on their record of just three wins in 40 UCL games.
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Conclusion
Bayern Munich’s demolition of Dinamo Zagreb was a testament to their attacking prowess and depth. Harry Kane’s four-goal masterclass and Bayern’s dominance make them serious contenders for this year’s Champions League title. Dinamo will have easier opponents, but their performance shows they must improve to compete at this level.
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