2–0! Kane Scores Twice but Misses a Penalty as Bayern Overtake Real Madrid and Seal UCL Last-16 Spot

In the early hours of January 22, Bayern Munich hosted Union Saint-Gilloise in Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Despite missing a late penalty and playing with ten men, Bayern secured a 2–0 victory thanks to Harry Kane’s brace, reaching 18 points after seven matches and mathematically confirming a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the round of 16.

Bayern have been in outstanding form this season. A 5–1 demolition of RB Leipzig last weekend left them 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, while in Europe they arrived with five wins from six matches. Union Saint-Gilloise, despite leading the Belgian league, had managed only two wins in six Champions League games and were still battling for a playoff spot.

With a squad valued at nearly €1 billion, Bayern’s superiority on paper was clear. Kane led a strong 4-2-3-1 lineup, supported by Olise, Luis Díaz and Lennart Karl, with Kimmich and Pavlović anchoring midfield.

Bayern started aggressively and nearly scored within two minutes, Kane denied at close range by Scherpen. After a goalless first half, the breakthrough finally came in the 52nd minute, when Kane headed home from an Olise corner. Just three minutes later, Kane converted a penalty after being fouled in the box, completing his brace.

The match took another twist in the 62nd minute when Kim Min-jae was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Bayern later earned another penalty, but Kane struck the post, missing the chance for a hat-trick.

Even so, Bayern comfortably saw out the match to claim a fifth consecutive win in all competitions. With 18 points, they moved ahead of Real Madrid into second place and, with a five-point gap over ninth-placed Barcelona, sealed direct qualification for the Champions League round of 16 with one game to spare.