Harry Kane delivered a stellar performance, scoring and assisting as Bayern Munich secured a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, sealing a 5-0 aggregate win to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Having dominated the first leg with a 3-0 triumph, Bayern never looked in danger against last season’s unbeaten German champions. After a goalless first half, Kane broke the deadlock early in the second period, tapping in a Joshua Kimmich cross. With Leverkusen pushing forward, Alphonso Davies put the tie beyond doubt in the 71st minute, finishing off a clever Kane assist.
Kane, often criticised for failing to perform in big matches, was commanding throughout, reinforcing Bayern’s hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil and banishing memories of their 2012 final loss to Chelsea. “We didn’t want to just defend the lead; we wanted to press and create chances. To beat this team 5-0 over two legs shows the type of team we are,” the England captain said.
Missing key midfielder Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen showed resilience but struggled to mount a meaningful comeback. Manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged the scale of the challenge, stating, “We didn’t lose the tie today; we made it too difficult for ourselves in the first leg.”
Leverkusen, currently eight points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga, now shift focus to the German Cup as their best chance for silverware.
Bayern signalled their intent early, with Kane forcing Lukas Hradecky into action twice within the opening 15 minutes. Leverkusen’s best opportunity came just before the break when Patrik Schick narrowly missed with a header.
However, Bayern’s clinical edge proved decisive. Kane’s 52nd-minute goal all but ended Leverkusen’s hopes, and his assist for Davies’ strike ensured a comfortable passage into the last eight.
With their sights set on the final at the Allianz Arena, Bayern remain on course for European glory, and Kane inches closer to his long-awaited first major club trophy.