Bayern Munich edge Real Madrid in Bernabeu 1st-leg thriller


Harry Kane delivered for Bayern Munich on his return from injury, scoring a goal and helping set up another in his team's 2-1 win at Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappé scored Madrid's goal after the visitors had taken a two-goal lead at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Luis Díaz had given Bayern the lead late in the first half.

Kane, who had been listed as a game-day decision after missing the team's Bundesliga match last weekend because of an ankle injury, struck 20 seconds into the second half for his 49th goal of the season.

The result left Bayern with an edge ahead of the second leg in Germany next week as they try to reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2023-24, when they were eliminated by eventual champions Madrid.

History is now on Bayern's side, with the Bavarian giants having advanced in 12 of the 13 Champions League ties in which they won the first leg on road.

Tuesday's result also saw Bayern end a nine-game winless streak against Madrid in the Champions League -- their longest winless run against a single opponent in competition history.

Harry Kane celebrates his goal against Real Madrid with Bayern Munich teammate Luis Díaz.
Harry Kane celebrates his goal against Real Madrid with Bayern Munich teammate Luis Díaz.
Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images

Kane participated in the buildup of Bayern's first goal in the 41st minute, exchanging passes with Serge Gnabry, who ultimately fed a through ball for Díaz inside the area. The Colombia forward sent a low shot past Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Kane scored himself in the 46th with a one-time shot from the top of the area, firmly finding the corner with a low strike. It was his 11th Champions League goal, equaling his best scoring season in the competition. 

The England striker has scored 22 Champions League goals since the start of the 2024-25 season, the most of anybody.

Mbappé scored his 20th Champions League goal since the start of the 2024-25 season in the 74th, finding the net from close range after a pinpoint low cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Mbappé leads the scoring this season with 14 goals, which is double the forward's total last season. He is three goals shy of the most goals in a single Champions League campaign achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo with Madrid in 2013-14.

Vinícius Júnior had one of Madrid's best chances in a one-on-one situation with Manuel Neuer in the 61st, but the Brazil forward couldn't get past the Bayern goalkeeper and his attempt hit the outside of the net. A few minutes later, Neuer -- who had nine saves in total -- dived to his right to make a nice stop on a shot by Mbappé.

Neuer had already made two tough saves to keep Madrid from finding the net in the first half on other attempts by Mbappé and Vinícius.

Madrid defender Álvaro Carreras made a goal-line clearance on a shot by Dayot Upamecano in the first half.

Both sides were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage last season, with Bayern losing to Inter Milan and record 15-time European champions Madrid being eliminated by Arsenal.

German champions Bayern are unbeaten in their past 14 games in all competitions, with 12 wins. Madrid were coming off a 2-1 loss at Mallorca on Saturday that hurt their LaLiga title hopes.

The Associated Press and ESPN Research contributed to this report.