Lennart Karl makes Bayern Munich history with UEFA Champions League strike
Against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, Bayern Munich's Lennart Karl made history by becoming the club's youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition's history.
It was business as usual for Bayern against the Belgian outfit, continuing their winning start to the 2025/26 campaign with a 12th consecutive victory. Goals from Harry Kane, Luis Díaz and Nicolas Jackson secured the three points in a 4-0 triumph.
Yet it was Karl's opener in the fifth minute that set Bayern on their way. The goal itself was worthy of a place in the history books, too, as the youngster picked up the ball in the middle of the park, drove forward with intent and fired into the top corner from outside the area. That moment of magic, as well as his overall performance, ultimately won him UEFA's Player of the Match award.
Not only did his strike give the Bavarians the perfect start at the Allianz Arena, it also earned the 17-year-old a new record. Still four months away from his 18th birthday, he is over three months younger than Jamal Musiala was when he sat top of the pile after scoring against Lazio in 2021.
After the match, head coach Vincent Kompany praised his contribution, saying, "You have to remember, at this level, this [what Karl is achieving] isn't normal. But I'm not a fan of the hype he's sure to get now. I'm a fan of training and calm."
"His performance was good today. Everyone knows he can score goals. What's important for us is that he showed in such a big game that he can help us."
Watch: Karl's stunning youth goal for Frankfurt
The effort against Brugge was not only Karl's first Champions League goal, but also his maiden strike for the club in any competition at senior level in his 10th appearance for the club.
Karl now leads a top 10 of the youngest Bayern scorers in the Champions League that includes the likes of Thomas Müller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and David Alaba - true Bavarian royalty.
Full top 10
1) Lennart Karl: 17 years, 8 months
2) Jamal Musiala: 17 years, 11 months, 28 days
3) Sammy Kuffour: 18 years, 1 month, 28 days
4) Roque Santa Cruz: 18 years, 2 months, 30 days
5) Mathys Tel: 18 years, 4 months, 24 days
6) Kingsley Coman: 19 years, 5 months, 11 days
7) Thomas Müller: 19 years, 5 months, 25 days
8) David Alaba: 20 years, 5 months, 11 days
9) Bastian Schweinsteiger: 20 years, 8 months, 5 days
10) Markus Feulner: 20 years, 9 months, 1 day
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