Bayern down stubborn Galatasaray to maintain perfect record in Champions League

BERLIN — Harry Kane’s late brace helped Bayern Munich to secure their passage into the Champions League knockout stages after clinching their fourth victory in as many games in Group A with a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray.

Galatasaray began strongly and nearly opened the scoring just three minutes into the match when Mauro Icardi chipped the ball into the arms of Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from an offside position, reports Xinhua.

The Bavarians then took control and kept Galatasaray’s defense on their toes, with Kane and Leroy Sane forcing goalkeeper Fernando Muslera into action twice.

The hosts increased the pressure but lacked precision in the final third, evidenced when Sane pulled his shot wide from the edge of the box in the 22nd minute and Jamal Musiala also missed the target seven minutes later.

Galatasaray found a spark of life in the closing stages again as Icardi failed to beat Neuer before Wilfried Zaha’s shot was blocked.

Bayern produced the best chance of the match in the 53rd minute when Kane’s effort hit the woodwork after latching onto a cross from Kingsley Coman.

The visitors remained a threat and believed they had taken the lead against the run of play, but Lucas Torreira’s goal was disallowed due to an earlier offside decision at the hour mark.

Bayern eventually broke the deadlock when Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick into the area was met by Kane, who headed home at the near post corner with 80 minutes on the clock.

The Englishman wasn’t finished with scoring and doubled his tally six minutes later, tapping in Mathys Tel’s square pass at the far post.

Galatasaray was not deterred and managed to halve the deficit in the dying moments of injury time through substitute Cedric Bakambu. However, the goal came too late, as Bayern’s defense held firm to secure their 17th consecutive – and 38th overall – victory in the Champions League group stage.

“We expected a tough game. We lacked the final punch. It took time and patience. Overall, I think we deserved the win. We tried a different approach as Galatasaray defended very well. We kept the level high and got our goals. I am happy we qualified ahead of schedule,” said man of the match Harry Kane.

With the result, Bayern sit atop the standings in Group A, followed by Copenhagen, Galatasaray, and Manchester United. 

Champions League: Real Madrid and Real Sociedad move into Round of 16

MADRID — Real Madrid beat Braga 3-0 in Group match to seal a place in the Round of 16 and extend their spectacular run in the Champions League Group Stage.

Goals for Brahim, Vini Jr. and Rodrygo clinch victory for Real Madrid against Braga to book a place in the next round on Wednesday night.

Brahim set the team on the way in the first half, stroking home from a Rodrygo pass, before the other two goals arrived in a stunning second half.

Vini Jr. extended the lead with 58 on the clock and Rodrygo made it three with an exquisite chip three minutes later.

Real Madrid only need a point against Napoli next time out to secure top spot in the group C.

Real Madrid have never failed to qualify for knockouts, coming through every time since their first involvement under this format back in the 1995/96 campaign.

They have qualified from all 32 group stage campaigns they have played, the only team to do so in the competition’s history.

On the other hand, Real Sociedad defeated Benfica (3-1) in a spectacular Group D contest to set up a third successive Group D win and sealed a place in the knockout stages.

Sociedad scored three goals inside the opening 21 minutes. Merino scored the first, capitalizing on an accidental pass from Aihen. Oyarzabal scored the second goal after outplaying Otamendi. Barrene’s third goal was a masterpiece, with a cut and a ball into the top corner.

Merino had a goal disallowed for handball, while Brais missed a penalty by hitting the post. Benfica, except for a well-saved shot by Remiro, posed no threat.

In the early stages of the second half, Benfica narrowed the gap with a goal from Rafa Silva. The visitors played better than they did in the first half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a resilient Real, which continued to create chances.

Zubimendi had a chance to extend the advantage, but his volley was just wide, as was another cross from Barrene.

Champions League: Trossard and Saka power Arsenal to easy win over Sevilla

LONDON — Arsenal took a major step towards qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last 16 as they cruised past Sevilla 2-0 at Emirates Stadium to move on to nine points in group A, needing just one more point to qualify for the knockout stages.

Goals in each half from Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka gave us a well-deserved victory from a thoroughly dominant Wednesday night.

Saka was the star of the show for Arsenal as he scored one goal and made another in their success over Sevilla.

Saka created the opening goal as he played the final pass for Leandro Trossard, starting in place of Eddie Nketiah because of an ankle problem, and the Belgian had the simple task of tapping into an empty net.

It was the fifth time Trossard had been set up by Saka this season in all competitions, the most assists by one Premier League player for another in 2023/24.

Saka then gave Arsenal complete control in the contest after doubling their lead in the 64th minute.

Arsenal were in complete control and didn’t allow a shot at David Raya’s goal until the 97th minute, but it was not until just after the hour that Saka – who limped off late on.

The only downside to Arsenal’s evening was the sight of Saka walking off with a suspected injury.

However, Mikel Arteta said post-match that he hopes the injury won’t be a serious one.

“It was just a kick and I was told by the physios he wasn’t happy to continue. I want to assume he will be OK,” said Arteta.

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