MADRID — Luis Diaz and Harry Kane scored the goals that gave dominant Bayern Munich a crucial 2-1 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg win away to Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Kylian Mbappe’s strike 16 minutes from time gave record 15-time winners Real a lifeline at their Bernabeu home in a gripping battle, AFP reported.
Vincent Kompany’s side, arguably the strongest team in Europe this season, produced a masterclass in the first half and could have been several goals ahead.
Instead they had only one from Diaz, which Kane added to after the interval, but Mbappe’s goal kept Alvaro Arbeloa’s side in the tie.
The round’s glamour fixture was a European classic — a record 29th time these teams have faced each other in the competition.
Bayern flew out of the blocks and Konrad Laimer’s rasping effort narrowly over the bar showed that Kompany’s side had come to the Spanish capital to attack.
After nine consecutive matches against Madrid without a win, Bayern were determined to put an end to that streak and show why many consider them favourites to lift the trophy this season.
Bayern should have taken the lead through defender Dayot Upamecano, who fluffed his lines from point-blank range after Kane cushioned the ball into his path.
Despite the Frenchman’s ungainly effort at finishing, the ball was still heading for the net but Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras hacked it off the line to safety.
Madrid were largely pinned back as Bayern dominated the ball, but the hosts sought to send through rapid strikers Mbappe and Vinicius Junior on the counter.
The competition’s top scorer, Mbappe, got in first and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a solid save with his legs to deny the striker.
Vinicius was next but Neuer was equal to his bending strike too, palming the ball away.
Madrid’s defensive work was nearly undone by a moment of madness from 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch, starting in place of Jude Bellingham as the England international builds fitness after injury.
Pitarch’s poor back pass under pressure was straight to Serge Gnabry in front of goal but Andriy Lunin, perhaps without even knowing how, deflected the German’s shot behind.
Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde, who scored a sensational hat-trick in the last 16 against Manchester City, put Mbappe through again but Neuer saved the French superstar’s drive from a tight angle.
