Harry Kane fires Bayern Munich to crushing victory over Leverkusen

The victory snapped Bayern's frustrating six-match winless run against their German rivals, giving them a firm grip on the tie heading into the return leg.

Bayern came out with intent at the Allianz Arena, and Kane wasted no time making his mark. Just nine minutes in, the England captain pounced on a pinpoint cross from Michael Olise, outmuscling Nordi Mukiele to slam home his first goal in five games.

"It was a big step in the right direction," Kane said to DAZN after the match. "We've struggled against this side over the last couple of yearsâ”they're a really good teamâ”but the focus was top from everyone from the first minute."

The hosts didn't let up. Early in the second half, Joshua Kimmich's lofted pass caught Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar off guard, and the fumble fell perfectly for Jamal Musiala to tap in.

Minutes later, Edmond Tapsoba hauled Kane down in the box, earning Bayern a penalty. Kane stepped up and rifled the ball into the top corner, bringing his Champions League tally to 17 since joining Bayern, more than anyone in that span. Leverkusen's night went from bad to worse when Mukiele picked up a second yellow card for a clumsy foul on Kingsley Coman, leaving them a man down.

"Everyone did a good job today," Kane added. "It would've been nice to add another goal towards the end, but we'll take the three goals. We're looking forward to the second leg."

Despite the convincing scoreline, Kane remained cautious about the return fixture in Leverkusen. "They'll come with the belief that they can turn it around, and we have to go with the same mindset we had today," he warned.

This was a stark contrast to the teams' drab 0-0 Bundesliga draw just weeks earlier. Bayern's urgency was clear from the off, while Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso, looked rattled. A rare slip from Dayot Upamecano nearly gifted Jeremie Frimpong an equaliser, but Manuel Neuer stood tall.

From there, Bayern dominated. Musiala struck the bar from close range, and long-range efforts from Coman and Kimmich kept Leverkusen on their toes.

Alonso's side, who suffered their first loss to Bayern since he took charge, now face a mountain to climb at the BayArena. Last season, they thrashed Bayern 3-0 at home, but replicating that feat with a three-goal deficit and a red card hanging over them looks daunting.

Bayern, meanwhile, have stretched their unbeaten streak to 10 matches across all competitions.

A recent X update from Bayern Munich's official account hailed the performance, posting: "A night to remember at the Allianz Arena! 3-0 up and in control - let's finish the job in Leverkusen." Kane also took to X, saying: "Great team effort tonight. Onto the next one."

For Leverkusen, the focus will be on regrouping, and fast, if they're to pull off a miracle in the second leg. 

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