Bayern Munich secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in their last-16 second-leg clash on Tuesday, sealing a 5-0 aggregate triumph.
Harry Kane played a pivotal role once again, scoring and providing an assist as the Bavarians set up a showdown with Inter Milan in the next round.
Kane, who had netted twice in Bayern’s 3-0 first-leg victory, struck in the 52nd minute, slotting home from close range for his 10th Champions League goal of the campaign.
This milestone made him the first English player to reach double figures in a single European Cup season.
The England captain then turned provider in the 71st minute, delivering a precise one-touch assist for Alphonso Davies to double Bayern’s lead.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Kane said, “A really good performance. From the first minute, we didn’t want to be a team who dropped off and defended the lead. We wanted to be on the front foot, put pressure on, and create chances to win the game.
“We did that in the first half and had the better chances. Then, second half, we knew they had to come out and try something and we punished them.”
Facing their Bundesliga rivals for the fifth time this season, Bayern asserted their dominance early, with Kane testing the Leverkusen defense twice in the opening stages.
Meanwhile, the hosts, tasked with overturning a three-goal deficit, struggled to find rhythm in the absence of injured playmaker Florian Wirtz. Their best chance came late in the first half when Patrik Schick’s header narrowly missed.
Bayern continued to dictate play after the restart, with Michael Olise’s deflected effort coming close just three minutes into the second half.
Soon after, Kane capitalized on sloppy defending, latching onto a Joshua Kimmich cross to put the visitors in front and all but end Leverkusen’s hopes of a comeback.
Struggling for creativity, Leverkusen failed to register a shot on target until the 62nd minute. Their lack of attacking threat was soon punished again, as Kane turned playmaker, setting up Davies for Bayern’s second goal in the 71st minute.
The visitors had chances to extend their lead further, with Kane firing wide in a one-on-one situation and Jamal Musiala striking the crossbar in the 81st minute before hitting the post five minutes later.
With this win, Bayern maintained momentum as they continue to lead the Bundesliga title race with an eight-point cushion over defending champions Leverkusen.
Their next challenge comes against Inter Milan, who sit atop Serie A and are eyeing a repeat of their 2010 treble-winning season—the same year they defeated Bayern in the Champions League final.
