Kane double the difference against Chelsea

Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
Goals: 1-0 Chalobah 20’ (o.g.), 2-0 Kane 27’ (pen.), 2-1 Palmer 29’ (assist: Gusto), 3-1 Kane 63' (assist: Pavlović)

Old scores will always feel they need to be settled in this fixture, with Chelsea’s 2011/12 Champions League final victory over Bayern at the Allianz Arena sticking in the memory of fans of the record champions, and even their captain Manuel Neuer, who was between the sticks that day.

It was the visitors who were out of the blocks fastest, enjoying space down Bayern’s left flank, and almost took the lead inside 10 minutes when Enzo Fernández was slipped through by Cole Palmer before being halted by Konrad Laimer's fantastic recovery challenge.

Despite the early pressure, it was the record champions who drew first blood. Following a drop-ball, Joshua Kimmich spread the play wide to Michael Olise, who drove at the Chelsea defence and whipped a teasing ball into the box, leaving Trevoh Chalobah with no choice but to put the ball into his own net.

Not long after, Kane was brought down in the penalty area by Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo and, after deliberating with his assistant, the referee pointed to the spot. The Englishman stepped up and dispatched it into the bottom corner, sending Robert Sánchez diving the wrong way.

Chelsea weren’t disheartened by this quick-fire double, however, and hit back not two minutes later. Caicedo made amends for the penalty as he won the ball back on the edge of his own box before shifting it to Palmer, who drove from his own half, played a one-two with Malo Gusto to his right and picked his spot with a first-time finish into the top left corner.

Once again, it was the visitors who enjoyed a favourable opening spell after the restart, though it was initially challenging for both sides to generate meaningful momentum due to frequent stoppages, midfield congestion, and an injury to Bayern full-back Josip Stanišić, whom Sacha Boey replaced.

Nevertheless, Bayern grew into the second half; a good chance falling to Luis Díaz, who beat his marker before shooting straight at Sánchez. Not long after, Laimer released Kane in behind, but the Chelsea goalkeeper did well to close down the angle and parry the England captain’s left-footed shot behind for a corner.

Sánchez was called into action again to deny Olise a golden opportunity to get Bayern’s third, after the French winger struck an effort from the penalty spot, following a Kane cut-back from the byline.

However, the Spaniard couldn’t stop Kane from securing a brace shortly after. Bayern's No.9 pounced on a loose back-pass from Gusto, before opening his body up and smashing the ball into the bottom right corner for his side’s third of the evening.

Lifted by the two-goal advantage, Bayern really began to express themselves, and Olise nearly added a fourth when his curling effort from the right whizzed past the far post.

The hosts avoided a late scare, after Palmer's second in the 90th minute was chalked off for offside, but their game management ultimately proved impeccable, as they cruised to an opening-night victory.

Match stats

• Bayern won the last of their six Champions League titles in 2019/20, recording a 7-1 aggregate win over Chelsea along the way (round of 16).
• Vincent Kompany's side have won all six of their competitive games in 2025/26.
• Kane has scored 21 goals in 27 Champions League appearances for Bayern.
• Díaz has only failed to register a goal involvement in two of his six competitive outings as a Bayern player.
• Bayern have won four of six Champions League meetings with Chelsea. Their only defeat was in the 2011/12 final (on penalties).
• The Bavarians have started a Champions League season with a win for a record-extending 22nd time.

Teams

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Laimer, Tah (Kim 46’), Upamecano, Stanišić (Boey 51’) - Kimmich, Pavlović (Goretzka 64’) - Olise, Gnabry (Bischof (90’+1), Díaz – Kane (Jackson 90’+1)
Unused subs: Ulreich, Urbig, Koala, Karl, David Daiber
Out: Davies (cruciate), Guerreiro (stomach), Musiala (ankle), Ito (foot)
Coach: Vincent Kompany

Chelsea: Sánchez - Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella - James (c) (Andrey Santos 68’), Caicedo – Neto (Garnacho 68’), Fernández (Estêvão 81’), Palmer - João Pedro
Unused subs: Jörgensen, Curd, Gittens, Fofana, Hato, Acheampong, Gui, Buonanotte
Out: Badiashile (muscle), Colwill (cruciate), Delap (hamstring), Essugo (thigh), Lavia (muscle)
Coach: Enzo Maresca

As it happened!