Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea: Harry Kane Strikes Twice as Bavarians Dominate Champions League Opener

Bayern Munich kicked off their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign with a clinical 3-1 victory over Chelsea at the Allianz Arena, powered by Harry Kane's predatory brace.

An early own goal from Trevoh Chalobah set the tone, with Cole Palmer's swift response offering brief hope before Kane's second sealed the points. Under Vincent Kompany, Bayern demonstrated ruthless efficiency, capitalizing on Chelsea's defensive lapses despite the Blues' proactive spells.

Enzo Maresca's young squad showed flashes of quality but were punished for inexperience. With 75,000 fans roaring, Bayern extended their unbeaten European home streak to 20 games.

First Half: Bayern's Early Blitz Sets the Tone

Bayern started assertively, pressing high and probing Chelsea's backline. The opener arrived in the 20th minute when Serge Gnabry's whipped cross from the right evaded everyone, ricocheting off Chalobah into his own net for a 1-0 lead. Bayern Munich vs Chelsea own goal became an instant talking point.

Chelsea's response was sluggish, and disaster struck again in the 27th minute. Kane, lurking in the box, was felled by Moisés Caicedo's clumsy challenge, earning a penalty. The England captain coolly converted, sending Robert Sánchez the wrong way to make it 2-0. Kane's clinical finish marked his 55th goal for Bayern.

The Blues hit back almost immediately. In the 29th minute, Palmer – on his 100th Chelsea appearance – exchanged a quick one-two with Malo Gusto before curling a sublime effort into the top corner, halving the deficit at 2-1. It was a moment of class amid the chaos, but Bayern held firm to the break.

Second Half: Kane's Intercept Seals Bayern's Triumph

Chelsea pushed for parity early in the second half, enjoying pockets of possession, but Bayern's experience shone through. Josip Stanišić limped off injured just after the hour, but the hosts struck decisively in the 63rd minute. Kane intercepted a loose pass from Gusto near the edge of the box and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner for 3-1 – his second of the night and a dagger to Chelsea's hopes.

Maresca introduced Alejandro Garnacho and Andrey Santos to inject energy, but a late Palmer strike in the 88th minute was ruled out by VAR for offside. Bayern managed the game expertly, with substitutions like Leon Goretzka adding steel in midfield.

Match Stats: Bayern Munich vs Chelsea

Lineups and Substitutions

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah (Kim 46'), Stanišić (Boey 51'); Kimmich, Pavlović (Goretzka 64'); Olise, Gnabry (Bischof 90+1'), Díaz; Kane (Jackson 90+1').

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; James (Santos 68'), Caicedo; Palmer, Fernández (Estêvão 81'), Pedro Neto (Garnacho 68'); João Pedro.

Notable absences included Bayern's Jamal Musiala (rested) and Chelsea's Levi Colwill (injured), impacting both defenses.

Player Ratings: Kane the Hero, Errors Haunt Chelsea

• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 9.5/10: Two goals, including a penalty and a poacher's finish; haunted his former league rivals with 3/3 shots on target.
• Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich) – 8/10: Assist for the winner and constant threat on the right; won 4/5 duels.
• Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) – 8/10: Terrifying dribbles and key cross for the own goal; completed 6/7 take-ons.
• Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 9/10: Stunning goal and created 2 chances; but isolated in attack.
• Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – 5/10: Costly own goal and struggled against Olise; lost possession 8 times.
• Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) – 7/10: Penalty concession and midfield errors; only 78% pass accuracy.

Kompany hailed his team's maturity: "We turned moments into goals – that's Champions League football." Maresca reflected: "We showed spirit, but errors were punished. Growth comes from nights like this."