Jamal Musiala heads winner for Bayern Munich against Benfica

Updated: Nov 6, 2024, 10:31 pm

Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala headed home in the second half to give the hosts a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday as they bounced back from two consecutive defeats in the competition.

Germany midfielder Musiala scored with a bullet header from close range in the 67th minute with Bayern dominating and missing several chances before breaking the deadlock.

The result lifted Bayern to six points from four matches and into 17th place with Benfica, who were toothless in attack, also on six in 19th place.

The game started with a 15-minute delay as fans arrived late following train problems, and with Bayern desperate to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats to Aston Villa and Barcelona in the competition.

Jamal Musiala scored the winning goal for Bayern Munich in their Champions League match against Benfica.
Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images

They initially struggled to find a way through a crowded and compact Portuguese defence but gradually improved and Harry Kane had their first chance.

They came even closer in the 39th minute with both Kane's shot and Michael Olise's rebound effort stopped by keeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Kane tried his luck with a solo run into the box and low drive in the 54th minute before Trubin pushed Leroy Sané's effort wide on the hour.

Bayern, who are undefeated and in top spot in the Bundesliga, broke the deadlock with Musiala's header from a Kane assist to take a deserved lead.

The visitors had succeeded for large periods in soaking up the pressure but had little to offer in terms of attack with only one effort towards goal in the entire game to Bayern's 23.