Bayern overcome Flamengo to advance to quarters

FC Bayern beat Flamengo 4-2 to advance to the Club World Cup quarter-finals. Erick Pulgar put through his own goal before Harry Kane doubled Bayern’s lead early in the game, but Flamengo’s Gerson pulled one back. Leon Goretzka restored Bayern’s two-goal lead before half-time, with Jorginho netting from the spot and Kane rounding off the final scoreline in a hard-fought match. Munich cross swords with Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday at 18:00 CEST.

Bayern started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Josip Stanišić in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, with Kane up front. Aleksandar Pavlović, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Sacha Boey and Thomas Müller came on for Goretzka, Coman, Gnabry, Laimer and Kane in the second half.

Deserved half-time lead

Bayern hit the ground running and a Kimmich effort was deflected behind, but they took the lead when Pulgar put through his own goal from a Kimmich corner. Giorgian de Arrascaeta fired just wide at the other end, but Bayern soon twisted the knife, Upamecano winning the ball before Kane found the net via the inside of the post.

Flamengo got a grip now and Neuer made a fine save to deny Luiz Araújo from close range, but the Brazilians pulled one back when Gerson’s powerful shot beat Neuer. Munich restored their lead shortly before half-time, when the ball was cleared only as far as Goretzka, who unleashed a fine curler into the back of the net.

Kane seals it

Flamengo went looking for a reply after the restart and Upamecano made a block against Araújo, but the Brazilians were soon awarded a penalty for handball, Jorginho converting.

Kane set up Sané, who mishit the ball before Laimer won the ball and Kimmich released Kane, who made for 4-2. Bayern increasingly let the ball do the work now. Olise’s square to Musiala was intercepted before Wallace Yan headed over at the other end. Sané raced clear and had only Agustin Rossi to beat, but the Flamengo keeper made a fine save with the full-time whistle imminent.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen