Harry Kane showcased his world-class talent with a brace, propelling Bayern Munich to a 4-2 victory over Flamengo in the Club World Cup round of 16. The match, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, saw Bayern advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern Munich started strong, capitalizing on an early own goal by Flamengo's Erick Pulgar off a Joshua Kimmich corner in the 6th minute. Just three minutes later, Harry Kane extended Bayern's lead with a deflected shot that found the bottom corner. Despite Bayern's early dominance, Flamengo responded resiliently.
Flamengo began to find their rhythm, with Gerson unleashing a powerful strike past Manuel Neuer in the 33rd minute to narrow the deficit. However, Bayern quickly restored their two-goal advantage before halftime, as Leon Goretzka scored with a stunning long-range curler.
The second half saw Flamengo continue to fight back. In the 52nd minute, a handball by Bayern's Michael Olise resulted in a penalty, which Jorginho calmly converted to reduce Bayern's lead to 3-2. Despite Flamengo's efforts, Bayern's quality ultimately prevailed.
In the 73rd minute, Harry Kane sealed the victory with a clinical finish, securing his brace and Bayern's place in the quarter-finals. Kimmich provided the assist, setting up Kane for a precise strike past Flamengo's goalkeeper Agustín Rossi.
Kane was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. He expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging Flamengo's resilience and the importance of the fourth goal in securing the victory. Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany, praised the team's tempo and their ability to maintain a threat against a strong opponent.
Despite the loss, Flamengo's coach, Filipe Luís, acknowledged Bayern's superior quality, stating that his team faced the "football elite". Midfielder Jorginho felt the game was even for large parts and that small details made the difference.
Bayern Munich will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals in Atlanta. This match pits the Bundesliga champions against the Champions League winners, promising a high-stakes encounter. Bayern will look to continue their Club World Cup campaign and aim for the title.
