Kane's brace sends Bayern into last 16

FC Bayern beat Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 on Wednesday night to book a berth in the Champions League last 16. After a goalless first half, Harry Kane bagged a brace to seal three points and Munich’s 250^th victory in the competition. Minjae Kim was sent off after the hour mark, but Bayern remained dominant and kept a clean sheet.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Raphaël Guerreiro, Jonathan Tah, Kim and Tom Bischof in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Lennart Karl and Luis Díaz, with Kane up front. Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry came on for Guerreiro, Karl, Kimmich and Olise in the second half.

No goals

Bayern dominated possession and almost took an early lead, but Union keeper Kjell Scherpen denied Kane and beat the Englishman to an Olise cross minutes later. Karl’s effort from distance went wide before Kevin Mac Allister miscued at the other end.

Neuer made a fine save from Promise David’s low header and Guerreiro’s miscued header from a Kimmich cross meant the contest was goalless at half-time.

Kane seals it

A Kimmich clip evaded Kane and Bischof saw an effort deflected behind, but Olise’s corner found Kane, who headed home from close range. Kane was upended by Scherpen when he was through on goal and dispatched the ensuing penalty to make it two.

Munich were reduced to ten men when Kim was sent off for a second bookable offence, but Bayern were still in the driving seat, with Kane seeing another effort blocked. Vincent Kompany’s men were awarded a penalty for handball, but Kane hit the woodwork. Díaz squared for Olise, who fired over before Mohammed Fuseini aimed too high as the German record champions sealed direct qualification for the last 16.

The victory takes Bayern onto 18 points from seven matches to ensure a top-eight finish. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday when they entertain Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen