Kane Hits Double as Bayern Survive Kiel Comeback

Date: 02 February 2025 - 21:50

News ID: ۱۳۶۴۸۱

BERLIN (AFP) - Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich survived a remarkable comeback by strugglers Holstein Kiel to move nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Kiel, who showed positive glimpses throughout the game, pulled the score back to 4-3 in stoppage time despite Bayern having been 4-0 up, but could not find an equalizer.
Bayern punished Kiel for missing early opportunities and went ahead after 19 minutes when Jamal Musiala slotted past Timon Weiner after Michael Olise threaded him through in the box.
The hosts were not in total control in the first half though, with Kiel continuing to defend well and cause problems for Bayern when they rushed forward in numbers on the counter-attack.
England captain Kane, however, dealt another blow shortly before the half-time whistle when he expertly nodded home a Kingsley Coman cross.
Kiel’s hopes of finding a way back were dashed soon after the restart, with Kane getting his second of the game by guiding Raphael Guerreiro’s cross into the top corner with an excellent header in the 46th minute.
Half-time substitute Serge Gnabry then produced a superb piece of individual skill to seemingly put the game to bed after just 54 minutes, bringing an aerial ball down with his right foot inside the box and then sending a first-time finish past Weiner with his left.
Kiel earned consolation through Finn Porath driving a powerful strike into the top corner of Manuel Neuer’s goal, before Steven Skrzybski slotted home two goals in quick succession in stoppage time to give Bayern a significant moment of concern.
But Bayern held on to their lead and Vincent Kompany’s side are now nine points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen having played a game more, while Kiel are 17th, two points inside the automatic relegation places and six points adrift of safety.