Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich LIVE: Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer the heroes in pulsating Champions League quarter-final | OneFootball

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Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in a thrilling first leg of their blockbuster Champions League quarter-final clash.

This had been billed as a must-watch tie and it certainly proved the case on a frenetic, end-to-end night at the Bernabeu.

Luis Diaz netted the opener with an accomplished finish shortly before half-time with Harry Kane - on his return from picking up a knock on international duty with England last month - doubling the visitors’ advantage just 20 seconds after the restart.

But Real Madrid showed their class on the counter and offered more evidence of how destructive they can be in full flow. Kylian Mbappe, the competition’s top goalscorer, halved their advantage with a close-range strike past keeper Manuel Neuer in the 74th minute - teed up by Trent Alexander-Arnold, desperate to prove himself with England manager Thomas Tuchel watching on.

Both Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were denied several times by Neuer, who made nine saves, and Bayern failed to make their control of the game count as Dayot Upamecano, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala all missed chances.

It means the German giants will start next week’s second leg with only a one-goal lead, with the tie very much in the balance.

Why Thomas Tuchel must ignore Trent Alexander-Arnold’s flaws and take him to World Cup

Comment: Alexander-Arnold struggled defensively against Luis Diaz but the quality of his delivery cannot be ignored after he and Jude Bellingham led Real Madrid’s second-half resurgence

Why Tuchel must ignore Alexander-Arnold’s flaws and take him to World Cup

Alexander-Arnold struggled defensively against Luis Diaz but the quality of his delivery cannot be ignored after he and Jude Bellingham led Real Madrid’s second-half resurgence, writes Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson8 April 2026 10:07

Premier League clinches fifth Champions League spot for 2026/27 season

The Premier League could boast seven clubs in next season’s Champions League if all the right pieces fall into place – but now we know five will be guaranteed.

The extra place was sealed after Arsenal emerged 1-0 victors at Sporting in their quarter-final first leg, with Kai Havertz snatching a late winner in Lisbon.

It is the second consecutive year that the Premier League has earned an additional spot, with the English top flight at the pinnacle of the European Performance Standings.

Premier League clinches fifth Champions League spot for 2026/27 season

An unprecedented seven English teams could make up the 36 clubs that qualify for next season’s Champions League - but five will be guaranteed

Will Castle8 April 2026 06:00

Kompany on Neuer: 'He makes it look so easy'

Kompany continues to heap praise on Neuer, who impressed once again tonight. “He makes it look so easy. With great goalkeepers, they make incredible saves at incredible angles look so easy. He is still very good with his positioning, defending the back line.

“We won't win the competition without more of these kind of performances.”

Flo Clifford8 April 2026 04:00

Vincent Kompany: 'We have earned the right to be confident'

Kompany continues: “It's important to continue our momentum [in the second leg]. They will give us a tough game, they are the type of team that can do something special, but so can we.

“We have earned the right to be confident and be demanding in those games. But it's football, you never know.

“I'm not centre stage, it's the players. So I just try to give them a little word when I can, something I might have done when i was playing. But it's a players’ game.”

Flo Clifford8 April 2026 03:00

Stat attack

20 shots for either side, nine on target for Real, eight on target for Bayern.

The hosts had 37 touches in the opposition box, Bayern 45.

A cracker of a game.

Flo Clifford7 April 2026 23:45