Harry Kane brace helps Bayern Munich down Chelsea in UEFA Champions League opener

Bayern Munich got their UEFA Champions League campaign off to a flying start with an assured, professional performance against FIFA Club World Cup champions Chelsea, with a Harry Kane brace proving the difference at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
Goals: 1-0 Chalobah 20’ (o.g.), 2-0 Kane 27’ (pen.), 2-1 Palmer 29’ (assist: Gusto), 3-1 Kane 63' (assist: Pavlović)

Old scores will always feel they need to be settled in this fixture, with Chelsea’s 2011/12 Champions League final victory over Bayern at the Allianz Arena sticking in the memory of fans of the record champions, and even their captain Manuel Neuer, who was between the sticks that day.

It was the visitors who were out of the blocks fastest, enjoying space down Bayern’s left flank, and almost took the lead inside 10 minutes when Enzo Fernández was slipped through by Cole Palmer before being halted by Konrad Laimer's fantastic recovery challenge.

Despite the early pressure, it was the record champions who drew first blood. Following a drop-ball, Joshua Kimmich spread the play wide to Michael Olise, who drove at the Chelsea defence and whipped a teasing ball into the box, leaving Trevoh Chalobah with no choice but to put the ball into his own net.

Michael Olise's cross caused calamity in the Chelsea box to force Trevoh Chalobah's own goal. - Alex Grimm

Not long after, Kane was brought down in the penalty area by Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo and, after deliberating with his assistant, the referee pointed to the spot. The Englishman stepped up and dispatched it into the bottom corner, sending Robert Sánchez diving the wrong way.

Chelsea weren’t disheartened by this quick-fire double, however, and hit back not two minutes later. Caicedo made amends for the penalty as he won the ball back on the edge of his own box before shifting it to Palmer, who drove from his own half, played a one-two with Malo Gusto to his right and picked his spot with a first-time finish into the top left corner.

Kane made no mistake from the spot as he doubled Bayern's advantage minutes after taking the lead. - IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

About the players

9

Harry

Kane

FC Bayern München

Once again, it was the visitors who enjoyed a favourable opening spell after the restart, though it was initially challenging for both sides to generate meaningful momentum due to frequent stoppages, midfield congestion, and an injury to Bayern full-back Josip Stanišić, whom Sacha Boey replaced.

Nevertheless, Bayern grew into the second half; a good chance falling to Luis Díaz, who beat his marker before shooting straight at Sánchez. Not long after, Laimer released Kane in behind, but the Chelsea goalkeeper did well to close down the angle and parry the England captain’s left-footed shot behind for a corner.

Sánchez was called into action again to deny Olise a golden opportunity to get Bayern’s third, after the French winger struck an effort from the penalty spot, following a Kane cut-back from the byline.

However, the Spaniard couldn’t stop Kane from securing a brace shortly after. Bayern's No.9 pounced on a loose back-pass from Gusto, before opening his body up and smashing the ball into the bottom right corner for his side’s third of the evening.

Kane needed just one touch to dispatch his second on the night, after latching onto a defensive error. - IMAGO/STANISLAW KLEPKA / ARENA AKCJI

Lifted by the two-goal advantage, Bayern really began to express themselves, and Olise nearly added a fourth when his curling effort from the right whizzed past the far post.

The hosts avoided a late scare, after Palmer's second in the 90th minute was chalked off for offside, but their game management ultimately proved impeccable, as they cruised to an opening-night victory.

Match stats

• Bayern won the last of their six Champions League titles in 2019/20, recording a 7-1 aggregate win over Chelsea along the way (round of 16).
• Vincent Kompany's side have won all six of their competitive games in 2025/26.
• Kane has scored 21 goals in 27 Champions League appearances for Bayern.
• Díaz has only failed to register a goal involvement in two of his six competitive outings as a Bayern player.
• Bayern have won four of six Champions League meetings with Chelsea. Their only defeat was in the 2011/12 final (on penalties).
• The Bavarians have started a Champions League season with a win for a record-extending 22nd time.

Teams

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Laimer, Tah (Kim 46’), Upamecano, Stanišić (Boey 51’) - Kimmich, Pavlović (Goretzka 64’) - Olise, Gnabry (Bischof (90’+1), Díaz – Kane (Jackson 90’+1)
Unused subs: Ulreich, Urbig, Koala, Karl, David Daiber
Out: Davies (cruciate), Guerreiro (stomach), Musiala (ankle), Ito (foot)
Coach: Vincent Kompany

Chelsea: Sánchez - Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella - James (c) (Andrey Santos 68’), Caicedo – Neto (Garnacho 68’), Fernández (Estêvão 81’), Palmer - João Pedro
Unused subs: Jörgensen, Curd, Gittens, Fofana, Hato, Acheampong, Gui, Buonanotte
Out: Badiashile (muscle), Colwill (cruciate), Delap (hamstring), Essugo (thigh), Lavia (muscle)
Coach: Enzo Maresca

As it happened!

3 - 1

(2 - 1)

Bayern

FINAL

Chelsea

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 1 League phase, Matchday 1 Allianz Arena

Full-time: Bayern 3-1 Chelsea

It was a tantalising encounter, but in the end, Bayern have come away as deserved winners. In a frantic first half, Bayern took a 2-0 lead before Palmer immediately answered back for the visitors. Bayern then started the second half brilliantly, piling pressure onto the Chelsea goal, but failing to take any chances until Mr Inevitable, Harry Kane, grabbed his second of the game to wrap up the three points. Bayern will travel to Cyprus for their next Champions League fixture to face Pafos on 30 September.

© IMAGO/Ulrich Hufnagel

Full-time

90'

+ 6

Santos enters the book

Santos brings down Jackson and picks up a yellow card that ends a period of decent Chelsea pressure.

90'

+ 6

Yellow card

Andrey Santos

90'

+ 3

An optimistic effort from Jackson

Jackson tries to lob Sánchez from a long way out, but gets it all wrong and the shot drifts harmlessly wide.

90'

+ 1

Double change from Bayern

Bischof is on for Gnabry, and Jackson comes on for Kane to face his parent club. Can Jackson cause Chelsea any problems in the remaining minutes?

90'

+ 1

Substitution

Nicolas Jackson

Harry Kane

90'

+ 1

Substitution

Tom Bischof

Serge Gnabry

90'

Six minutes added on

That goal would have made things interesting, but Bayern maintain their two-goal cushion as we enter six minutes of added time.

89'

Goal disallowed

Chelsea think they are back in it through Palmer, who dinks the ball past Neuer after a lovely pass from Santos, but the Englishman is narrowly offside.

88'

Garnacho shoots

The Argentinian darts inside from the left and shoots, but his effort is simple for Neuer to gather.

85'

Two quick yellows in succession

Olise brings down Cucerella for the umpteenth time and picks up a yellow. A few seconds later, Laimer stops a Chelsea counter in full flow and also enters the referee's book.

85'

Yellow card

Konrad Laimer

85'

Yellow card

Michael Olise

83'

Chelsea waning

That third goal has somewhat taken the wind out of Chelsea's sails. The Premier League side are struggling to create any more meaningful chances.

81'

Substitution

Estêvão

Enzo Fernández

6:41

Harry Kane - 20 clubs, 20 goals

On top of his double tonight, Kane's goal against Hamburg at the weekend means that he has continued his record of scoring against every Bundesliga club he has faced. Take a look at one goal against each club here!

78'

Another injury break

Chalobah is down after a duel with Kane and needs treatment. The game will be back underway shortly.

75'

Palmer scuffs his shot wide

Díaz catches Gusto on the ankle and gives away a free-kick. Fernández's free-kick is deflected out to Palmer on the edge of the box, but his effort isn't struck cleanly.

68'

Substitution

Andrey Santos

Reece James

68'

Substitution

Alejandro Garnacho

Pedro Neto

68'

Bayern turning on the style

Bayern are oozing class now, working the ball from left to right before Olise attempts to curl a shot towards the far post, but his effort sails narrowly wide.

64'

Substitution

Leon Goretzka

Aleksandar Pavlović

Kane makes it 3-1!

Finally, Bayern have their two-goal cushion back. Chelsea attempt to play out from the back, but Gusto finds himself swamped by Bayern shirts. His loose pass then falls to the feet of Kane inside the box, and the Englishman makes no mistake this time, tucking his shot neatly into the far corner.

© ALEXANDRA BEIER

63'

Harry Kane

GOAL!

3:1

60'

An even bigger chance for 3-1

Bayern could have the win sealed up already. This time it is Olise who is denied from close range by Sánchez after some sumptuous football. Boey sends Kane to the byline. The Englishman then pulls it back towards the six-yard box, where Díaz dummies for Olise. The Frenchman shoots, but can't beat the outstretched glove of Sánchez from close range. Another huge chance goes to waste.

57'

Kane with a huge chance

Bayern once again break the Chelsea press. This time, Laimer finds himself bounding through the centre of the park with the ball. Kane overlaps on his left and receives the ball, but his left-footed shot from close range bounces clear off Sánchez. That should have been 3-1.

54'

Díaz tests Sánchez

Good football from Bayern as Kane slips the ball out to Díaz on the left. He produces a double stepover before cutting inside and shooting, although the shot is straight at Sánchez.

52'

James with a tame effort

Chelsea work the ball forward well before James tries his luck. His effort is weak, however, and easy for Neuer.

51'

Stanišić can't continue

After chasing a long ball, Stanišić goes down holding his knee again and this time he can't continue and is replaced by Boey. Boey moves across to right-back with Laimer taking Stanišić's position at left-back.

51'

Substitution

Sacha Boey

Josip Stanišić

48'

An injury enforced break

Stanišić is on the deck after a hefty aerial duel that seemed to involve a clash of knees. He'll require treatment, but should be okay to continue.

46'

A change from Bayern

Kompany decides he isn't taking any chances as he replaces the yellow-carded Tah with Kim at the break.

46'

Back underway

Chelsea get the second half started, looking for a way back into the game.

46'

Substitution

Minjae Kim

Jonathan Tah

Kick-off!

Half-time: Bayern 2-1 Chelsea

The corner comes to nothing, and we enter the break with Bayern holding a narrow, but deserved lead. After an even opening 20 minutes, Bayern scored twice in the space of a few minutes as Chalobah turned Olise's cross into his own net and Kane won and scored a penalty to seemingly take control. However, Chelsea answered back immediately through a Palmer stunner to open the game back up. Both teams have pushed for further goals, but to no avail, and it remains 2-1 at the break.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Wunderl

Half-time

45'

+ 2

Olise continues to threaten

The Frenchman tries to nip inside and shoot, but his effort deflects out for a corner. One last chance for a goal before the break.

45'

+ 1

Two minutes added on

Just 120 seconds remaining before the break.

45'

Bayern ending the half well

The hosts have won a series of corners in the final few minutes of this half, but have been unable to turn the set-pieces into something meaningful. The hosts are looking the more likely, though.

42'

Olise fizzes his effort wide

A Bayern corner is cleared only as far as Olise, who unleashes a first-time left-foot volley that bounces just wide of the right-hand post.

38'

Laimer almost restores the two-goal cushion

Bayern switch the ball out to Olise. He controls the ball effortlessly and slips in Laimer, who drags his shot centimetres wide under pressure inside the box.

36'

Two more efforts for the visitors

Gusto darts inside and unleashes a powerful shot that is headed away before Neto tries a harmless long-range effort from the rebound.

34'

Caicedo fires over

Now Chelsea are on top. Caicedo gets the ball on the edge of the box and tries one, but his effort is wayward.

29'

Tah and Maresca enter the book

In the build-up to that goal, Tah attempted to block off Pedro's run to goal and is shown a yellow card. Chelsea's manager, Maresca, also earns a place in the referee's book for his complaints about the challenge.

29'

Yellow card

Jonathan Tah

Chelsea respond immediately

And what a lovely goal it is! Caicedo wins the ball in defence and feeds Palmer. He has plenty of space to run into before playing a one-two with Gusto on the edge of the penalty area and guiding home a stunning finish. Special stuff!

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Memmler

29'

Cole Palmer

GOAL!

2:1

Kane slots home the penalty

Never in doubt, and Bayern now lead 2-0. It's a long way back for Chelsea now.

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

27'

Harry Kane

GOAL!

2:0

Penalty for Bayern

Olise finds Kane in the box. The Englishman rolls Caicedo beautifully and is brought down. After careful consideration, the referee points to the spot and Bayern have the chance to double their lead.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

25'

Penalty!

24'

Bayern turning the screw

That goal seems to have galvanised the hosts. Bayern, and Olise in particular, are flying now, with the home fans roaring them on. Chelsea are floundering.

Bayern lead!

After a drop ball, Olise is fed down the right. He breezes past Pedro and whips in a delightful low cross with his right that Chalobah can only turn into his own net under pressure from Upamecano. The hosts take a massive lead.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S.

20'

Trevoh Chalobah

OWN GOAL!

1:0

19'

Good feet, good block

Díaz gets down the left and feeds a ball inside that Kane dummies for Gnabry. Gnabry shapes to shoot with his right before faking back onto his left and hitting one, but his effort is blocked.

17'

An entertaining opening

Neither side is sitting back; both teams seem intent on taking the game to the opposition, and that is leading to some exciting passages of play in the early stages.

13'

A double chance

Another dangerous Chelsea cross from the right almost causes Bayern problems before Cucerella gets on the end of the resulting short corner. The Spaniard only manages a glancing header, however, and his effort drifts just wide of Neuer's left-hand post.

11'

Gnabry hits one

Gnabry latches onto the ball in midfield, charges forward and unleashes a powerful drive with his left foot, but his effort flies narrowly wide.

8'

Kane heads over

That's better from Bayern. Díaz switches briefly to the right and whips in a good cross towards Kane, but he can only head over.

7'

That should be the opener

Chelsea once more cut Bayern open down the right. Palmer carries the ball forward to the edge of the box and slips in a cross towards Pedro, who dummies for Fernández, but the Argentinian can't get his shot away and Laimer does very well to smother the chance.

6'

A different challenge for Bayern?

In comparison to what Bayern often experience in the Bundesliga, Chelsea don't seem content to sit back and play on the counter. The Blues are attempting to take the game to the Bundesliga champions.

4'

High intensity

Both sides are attempting to press very high in the opening stages.

2'

An early chance

Gusto gets in behind the Bayern defence from a long ball over the top and almost manages to find Neto in the centre. Fortunately for Bayern, Neto is under enough pressure to stop him from striking the ball cleanly.

1'

We're underway

Bayern get the game underway in what is sure to prove a fantastic night of Champions League football.

Kick-off!

The famous anthem

Here comes the famous Champions League anthem, goosebumps as always ahead of Bayern's Champions League opener.

Players on the pitch

The atmosphere is building, and the players are ready. We're just minutes from kick-off now.

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

The last meeting

The last time these two sides met, Bayern thrashed Chelsea 7-1 on aggregate in the Champions League round of 16 over the course of two games that took place six months apart due to COVID-19. Several of tonight's Bayern squad featured in those fixtures, including Gnabry, who scored a double in the first leg.

© Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Differing results

Whereas Bayern demolished Hamburg at the weekend 5-0, Chelsea stumbled to a 2-2 draw away against Brentford as former RB Leipzig man, Fábio Carvalho scored a 93rd-minute equaliser for Brentford.

Can Chelsea keep Bayern at bay?

Bayern's biggest strength lies in their incredible attacking prowess, having already scored 14 goals in just three league games. Chelsea, meanwhile, have received a lot of stick in recent weeks for having a somewhat soft defence. On paper, that should mean Bayern are capable of adding to their goal tally tonight, but football is rarely so simple.

The longevity of Neuer

Neuer has been at Bayern since 2011, meaning he featured in Bayern's heartbreaking Champions League final loss against Chelsea in 2012. Since then, Neuer has faced Chelsea three times and won each time. Neuer also faced Chelsea in the earliest days of his career at Schalke, drawing once and losing once.

More on those teams

Bayern are unchanged from the 5-0 rout of Hamburg, meaning Aleksandar Pavlović continues in central midfield, the Germany youngster preferred to Leon Goretzka once more. Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson, meanwhile, is on the bench. As for the visitors, there are four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Brentford at the weekend, with Malo Gusto, Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Cole Palmer all back in the side. Ex-Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is among the players to make way.

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

Bayern starting line-up

Neuer (c) - Laimer, Tah, Upamecano, Stanišić - Kimmich, Goretzka - Olise, Gnabry, Díaz - Kane

Bayern subs

Ulreich, Urbig, Kim, Goretzka, Jackson, Bischof, Boey, Koala, Karl, David Daiber

Chelsea starting line-up

Sánchez - Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella - James (c), Caicedo - Neto, Fernández, Palmer - João Pedro

Chelsea subs

Jörgensen, Curd, Gittens, Andrey Santos, Fofana, Andrey Santos, Hato, Acheampong, Gui, Buonanotte, Garnacho, Estêvão

2:19

Watch: Kane & Kompany on Bayern's Champions League ambitions

4:50

Watch: Bayern's attacking hurricane

With Messrs Kane, Olise, Diaz and Gnabry to the fore, Bayern are tearing through opposition defences in the early part of 2025/26. Chelsea, you've been warned...

Palmer start on the cards

Having come off the bench in Chelsea's most recent game against Brentford in the Premier League, Blues dangerman Cole Palmer could make the starting eleven against Bayern.

Bayern's longevity

Seven players remain from the Bayern squad that last faced Chelsea in 2020. Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala and Sven Ulreich remain key figures within the Bayern camp, while only Reece James remains from Chelsea's defeated side.

© Markus Ulmer

Beating their blues

Bayern's last six games against the West London outfit have seen them win four and lose two, meaning they can go into the fixture with relatively happy memories. However, even despite winning the competition in 2013, their loss at home to Chelsea in the 2012 final means there will continue to be a revenge factor to this fixture for years to come.

Enzo Maresca aiming for a strong start against Bayern

"I'm very excited. [The Champions League] is a fantastic tournament, one of the most important, and we are happy to be there. The first match is Bayern and the focus is on them, and then we'll go game by game. We need to start in the right way, start winning games, and this is the main target."

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Jenni Maul

Vincent Kompany outlines aims

Speaking ahead of the Chelsea match, Bayern's head coach had this to say: "We want to win the Champions League. There is no other objective. Other teams want to win it too, of course. The only focus now is Chelsea, but the dream remains."

© IMAGO/Mladen Lackovic

A record which speaks for itself

Bayern are on an incredible run in terms of their form in their Champions League openers. Der Rekordmeister have won their opening match in the UCL every season since 2003. A win against Chelsea will extend their record to 22 consecutive opening game victories.

The Allianz factor

Looking ahead to the clash with his former London rivals, Harry Kane pointed to Bayern's home advantage as potentially the decisive factor, saying: “Chelsea are a really good side, but we can beat any team in the world here at the Allianz Arena. We have to go into the game with that mindset.”

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

Jackson on facing Chelsea

Speaking at his media unveiling ahead of the win against Hamburg, Bayern's No.11 had this to say on this week's Champions League clash: "We're playing against Chelsea and lots of friends on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to seeing them again and want to win the game."

© IMAGO/Ulrich Wagner

Old teammates, soon-to-be opponents

Loanee Nicolas Jackson will be eligible to face his former teammates at parent club Chelsea. The Senegalese international made his debut for the Bavarians in their 5-0 thrashing of Hamburg at the weekend, coming on at half-time to replace Serge Gnabry.

© XX / DFL/Getty Images/Jasmin Walter

2:31

Watch: The best of Luis Díaz

Enjoy the best of Luis Díaz during his time at Bayern Munich so far.

Perfect preparation

With three wins from three in the league and with 14 goals scored already, Bayern have made a dream start to the 2025/26 season. Their most recent victory saw them put five past Hamburg, four of which came before half-time.

© IMAGO/Midori Ikenouchi/Hasan Bratic/DeFodi Images

0:59

Bayern Munich 5-0 Hamburg

A Harry Kane double and further strikes from Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavlović and Luis Díaz helped Bayern to a one-sided win against HSV.

Welcome!

Welcome along to live coverage of Bayern Munich's opening match of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League season against Chelsea.

About the clubs

FC Bayern München

Allianz Arena