Harry Kane made a triumphant return from injury, scoring a brilliant goal to help Bayern Munich secure a first-leg advantage over Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final clash at the Bernabeu.
The England captain, observed by national team boss Thomas Tuchel, returned after a minor setback that ruled him out of the friendly against Japan and Bayern’s Bundesliga victory over Freiburg.
Although relatively quiet in the opening half, the 32-year-old played a role in the build-up to Bayern’s opener, as former Liverpool winger Luis Diaz calmly finished four minutes before the break.
Kane quickly made his mark after the restart, firing a precise right-footed shot into the bottom corner beyond Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was instrumental for Bayern, producing four key saves three denying Kylian Mbappe while Vincent Kompany’s side could have extended their lead in an entertaining contest.
With urgency growing among the home fans, Real introduced Jude Bellingham just after the hour mark in a bid to spark a comeback, and the midfielder impressed during his time on the pitch.
Despite earlier defensive struggles, Trent Alexander-Arnold redeemed himself with a brilliant low cross that Mbappe converted in the 74th minute.
Real Madrid pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Bayern held firm to take a slim advantage back to Munich ahead of the second leg.
