Zirkzee scores crucial goal in Bundesliga debut

Serge Gnabry invited sub Joshua Zirkzee to beat Freiburg keeper Mark Flekken in injury time, the 18-year-old sending FC Bayern into raptures. 104 seconds after coming on in his Bundesliga debut, the Dutchman found the net with his first touch, scoring Bayern's crucial second goal on Wednesday.

In the closing stages it looked as if Freiburg and the German record champions would share the spoils, but Hansi Flick was soon vindicated in his decision. The FCB coach introduced striker Zirkzee, who paid back the trust. "Joshua has been with us for a few weeks, he's doing a very good job in training. His development is impressive," Flick commented after the final whistle. "Today he rewarded himself but also the team. We're trying to promote young talent so that FC Bayern players establish themselves in the first team. If they perform like that we don't need to worry."

Zirkzee put Bayern on their way to victory with his crucial goal before Gnabry closed out the meeting. The result sends the German record champions up to third and four points off table-toppers RB Leipzig.

At 18 years and 210 days, Zirkzee is the youngest Bundesliga player to score a goal this term, and the third-youngest Bayern player to score a Bundesliga goal after Roque Santa Cruz (18 years, 12 days) and Alphonso Davies (18 years, 135 days). Besides, he is now the youngest Dutch scorer in Bundesliga history.