Champions League QF, first leg: Bayern Munich beats Real Madrid 2-1 as Kane bosses Mbappé

Bayern Munich took control of the Champions League quarter-final with a 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, gaining a slim first-leg advantage after a thrilling match in the Spanish capital.

Vincent Kompany’s side struck just before half-time when Serge Gnabry slipped a precise pass through for Luis Diaz, who avoided the offside trap and fired low past keeper Andriy Lunin in the 41st minute.

Bayern doubled their lead just seconds after the restart when Michael Olise neatly finished Harry Kane from the edge of the penalty area after a quick counter-attack.

Real improved after the hour and Kylian Mbappe pulled one back in the 74th minute, curling in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross at the far post.

Manuel ‌Neuer then denied Mbappé and Vinicius Jr with a series of sharp saves as the hosts pushed for an equalizer that never came, while Bayern headed home with a small but significant advantage.

The winner of the two-legged tie will face Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool in the semi-finals, who play their first leg on Wednesday.

«We came out for the second half and immediately conceded a goal. Both goals were gifts. Both sides had plenty of chances, but Bayern’s best player today was Neuer. That’s how it goes in the end,» Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger told Movistar Plus.

Bayern imposed themselves from the start and came close to scoring in the ninth minute, but Alvaro Carreras was able to deny Dayot Upamecano from the goal line after Real failed to clear their lines.

The visiting side dominated possession in the first half, seeing more than 65 percent of the ball as Alvaro Arbeloa’s side found themselves in a deep defensive block and looked to break on the counter.

Real still created chances. Vinicius forced an excellent one-handed save from Neuer in the 17th minute, with the Bayern goalkeeper firing away a low drive from the edge of the penalty area at full speed.

SAVE REFLEX

Mbappé squandered two openings shortly afterwards and was denied again in the 29th minute by an excellent reflex save from Neuer.

Bayern broke through four minutes before half-time after a smooth passing move. Kane and Gnabry exchanged quick passes before Gnabry slid a perfectly weighted ball through the center for Diaz, who slid behind the defense and drilled a low finish inside the right post in the 41st minute.

The German team doubled its lead after the restart. Carreras lost possession in midfield and Bayern quickly countered when Kane, unmarked on the edge of the area, calmly finished just inside the right post.

It was Kane’s 49th goal of the season and his 11th in the Champions League.

Real responded urgently. Vinicius shot clear after Upamecano’s mistake in the 60th minute, but dragged his shot wide as Neuer raced out to reduce the angle.

The goalkeeper then produced another fine one-handed save to deny Mbappe in the 65th minute and moments later saw the French striker curl an angled effort wide after clever play from Vinicius.

Mbappe pulled one back in the 74th minute, with the referee ruling the ball had gone over the line, despite Neuer appearing to get a hand on the shot.

Neuer remained defiant, blocking a fierce Vinicius strike in the 81st minute and holding an Eder Militao curler shortly afterwards, while Mbappe fired narrowly wide again in the 89th minute as Real surged forward.

Bayern missed opportunities to extend their lead at half-time, but returned home with the lead after a convincing first leg.

Published on April 8, 2026