Kane hits Drogba’s height as Bayern Munich defeat Lazio to reach UCL quarterfinals
In a remarkable display, Harry Kane silenced his critics with a stunning brace against Lazio, propelling Bayern Munich into the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
The English captain’s heroic performance saw Bayern secure a resounding 3-0 victory in the second leg of their round of 16 tie, overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and sealing a convincing 3-1 aggregate win over the Serie A giants.
The match at the Allianz Arena showcased Bayern’s dominance from the outset, with Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala spearheading early attempts that were thwarted by Lazio’s defense.
Despite Lazio’s counter-attacking threat, Bayern persisted, with Musiala and Kane coming close to breaking the deadlock. However, resolute defending kept the Italian side in contention.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Harry Kane instinctively headed home Raphael Guerreiro’s miscued shot, leveling the tie on aggregate and marking his 50th European goal. That goal also saw him equal Didier Drogba’s impressive tally in the competition.
Kane also became the first British player to score 50 goals in a UEFA club competition.
Just before halftime, German veteran Thomas Muller capitalized on Matthijs de Ligt’s fierce volley to give Bayern the lead in the tie.
In the second half, Bayern maintained control, with Lazio struggling to mount a comeback. Kane extended Bayern’s lead shortly after the hour mark, capitalizing on Leroy Sane’s rebounded effort.
Despite several opportunities, including a post-hit by Muller and a Musiala miss, Bayern secured a comprehensive victory, booking their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals while eliminating Lazio from the competition.
With his stellar performance, Kane not only led Bayern to victory but also etched his name alongside legends by equaling Drogba’s European record, further solidifying his status as one of the premier strikers in world football.