The China Mail - Kane brace puts Bayern on course for last eight against Leverkusen

Unable to beat Leverkusen in six attempts since Xabi Alonso took over in October 2022, Bayern were dominant from start to finish against the German champions, who looked shellshocked under the Allianz Arena floodlights.

Kane headed in a lovely Michael Olise cross after nine minutes. Nine minutes into the second, Jamal Musiala was in the perfect spot to capitalise on a goalkeeping howler from Matej Kovar, the usual backup to Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky.

Kovar rose high but not high enough, allowing a tame Joshua Kimmich chip to slip through his fingers. The ball fell at the feet of a grateful Musiala, who tapped home.

Eight minutes later, centre-back Nordi Mukiele sunk his studs into the calf of Alphonso Davies, picking up a second yellow.

Mukiele's replacement Edmund Tapsoba bear hugged Kane in the box. After the England captain fell to the turf, referee Michael Oliver consulted the VAR screen and pointed to the spot.

Kane converted as he has in every match dating back to his miss for England against France in the 2022 World Cup, putting Bayern on course for a victory in the tie and keeping the dream alive of appearing in this season's final in Munich.

Cameras showed Alonso, who spoke of the need for cool heads on the European stage before the match, with his head buried in his palms as Kane and Bayern celebrated by the corner flag.

Bayern, who were considered outsiders by an array of pundits before the match, roared back into form, sending a reminder of where the balance of power in German football lies.

Last season's undefeated Bundesliga winners Leverkusen had already eliminated Bayern from the German Cup this season and looked the better team in a scoreless draw between the sides in February.

Like he did in that match, Alonso opted not to name a striker in this game, leaving the in-form Patrik Schick on the bench.

Schick's counterpart Kane was by his standards on a lean run, without a goal in four matches, but he put Bayern into the lead early, heading an Olise cross just nine minutes in.

Kovar, who emerged as Leverkusen's cup 'keeper mid-season, gifted Bayern a second, dropping the ball to Musiala, who tapped home.

Bayern even overcame the loss of veteran captain Manuel Neuer, who was subbed off for Jonas Urbig with half an hour remaining, but Leverkusen failed to challenge the 21-year-old debutant.

Mukiele's send off and Kane's effort to win and convert a penalty, his 30th in a row for club and country, put one foot in the quarter finals and capped off an impressive night for Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.

D.Peng--ThChM