Bayern 3 – 1 Chelsea: Kane scores a brace to see off Chelsea | OneFootball

Kane punishes errors as Bayern show their know how

England captain Harry Kane left Stamford Bridge with the match ball and the storyline. He won and converted a first half penalty, then bent in a fine second half finish to cap a 3-1 Bayern Munich victory that exposed Chelsea’s defensive lapses on their return to the Champions League. For long spells the hosts carried a threat, yet Bayern’s experience and efficiency told when it mattered.

How the goals came

Chelsea began brightly but failed to make pressure count as Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez passed up presentable chances. The tone shifted after a slack moment at a referee drop ball. Bayern played quickly while blue shirts hesitated, the ball was worked into a dangerous area, and Trevoh Chalobah turned into his own net under pressure to give the visitors the lead.

Cole Palmer, making his one hundredth appearance in all competitions for Chelsea, levelled with a glorious strike into the top corner. Calm first touch, precise shape of the boot, and a finish that brought Stamford Bridge to its feet.

Parity did not last. Moises Caicedo clipped Kane in the box and the striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from twelve yards. Chelsea chased the equaliser after the interval and created moments, but the contest was settled when Malo Gusto’s misplaced pass gave Kane a pocket of space on the edge of the area. The Bayern forward opened up his body and curled beyond the dive to make it three.

Palmer thought he had a late lifeline only for a marginal offside to chalk it off. Between those moments Michael Olise and Kane both missed chances on the break as Chelsea took risks and Bayern almost cashed in again.

Palmer’s milestone the bright spot

On a night of hard lessons the biggest positive for Chelsea was Palmer. His touch, awareness and conviction with the finish spoke to a player who relishes the stage. He knitted attacks with intelligence and carried a threat throughout. The disallowed effort in the closing minutes underlined how fine the margins were for the home side.

Experience gap tells

Bayern have now won their opening match of the Champions League for the twenty second season in a row. That streak is built on exactly what they showed here. Control of key moments, ruthless finishing, and the calm to ride out pressure. Manuel Neuer, on his one hundred and fifty first appearance in the competition, organised expertly and claimed crosses that might have unsettled a less seasoned goalkeeper. By contrast, Chelsea’s entire twenty four man squad began the night with one hundred and seventeen Champions League appearances between them. At times that gulf in know how was clear.

Key moments

Tactics and tempo

Chelsea started on the front foot with quick rotations in the final third. Neto stretched the right side, Palmer drifted inside to connect play, and Fernandez arrived from deep. The problem lay in decision making in their own third. Bayern baited mistakes with an intelligent press and pounced on loose touches. When Chelsea threw on extra attackers the spaces widened, and Bayern’s counters through Olise and Kane repeatedly asked questions.

What it means

For Chelsea, the performance offered encouragement in approach play but also a reminder that Champions League matches are decided by details. The west Londoners must sharpen both penalty area boxes quickly. Bayern look every inch a side built for the long haul in Europe, guided by a striker who turns half chances into headlines.

What is next

Chelsea welcome Benfica next in the Champions League. All eyes will be on the away dugout if Jose Mourinho completes his expected appointment in time for a swift return to Stamford Bridge. Bayern carry three points into their second fixture with rhythm and confidence intact.