Kane fires as Bayern stays perfect in Europe
Harry Kane was again on the scoresheet as Bayern Munich maintained its perfect start to the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 win over giant-killer Galatasaray, which couldn't replicate its famous upset of Manchester United at Old Trafford, against the Bundesliga heavyweight.
Bayern took an early lead through Kingsley Coman but after Mauro Icardi’s 30th-minute penalty brought the hosts level, they had to soak up considerable pressure in Istanbul before two goals in the last 20 minutes secured a 16th straight group-stage win.
Kane got the first in the 73rd minute and then teed up Jamal Musiala to add another soon after as Galatasaray’s 23-match unbeaten run was ended.
After Icardi spurned an early opportunity for the hosts, Coman silenced the home crowd eight minutes in when Bayern hit Galatasaray on the break.
Leroy Sane broke down the left, cut inside and spread the ball for Coman, who had space after Kazimcan Karatas over-committed and went to ground too early, to drill home.
Galatasaray responded well to the setback, pouring forward and creating chance after chance.
Sven Ulreich did well to turn Kerem Akturkoglu’s shot around the post but was then grateful to see the Turkey forward spurn a gift, firing over the crossbar after the Bayern goalkeeper cleared the ball straight to him.
Galatasaray were rewarded on the half-hour mark when Icardi was caught by a sliding Joshua Kimmich as he tried to connect with a low cross, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.
Icardi, who missed from the spot against Manchester United, made no mistake this time with a cheeky chip down the middle once Ulreich had already committed.
The chances continued to come as Wilfried Zaha, Sacha Boey and Akturkoglu had shots blocked before half-time.
Just before the hour Lucas Torreira stooped to meet Dries Mertens’ free-kick at the front post but could only find the side-netting, and the former Arsenal midfielder then played in Icardi whose shot was again blocked.
Their failure to convert the chances they had created cost them as Bayern came forward late on.
Kane put them back in front with 17 minutes left. He tried to meet Musiala’s low cross from the right with a flick from his trailing leg but when that effort was blocked, the ball bounced up for him to prod home.
It was then Kane’s turn to set up Musiala, who rifled home a shot from the edge of the box.
Galatasaray seemed to know they were beaten and the intent they had shown for so much of the night was gone.
Instead it was Bayern who threatened to score again, with Fernando Muslera denying Sane before Eric Choupo-Moting headed narrowly over from a Kimmich corner.
The win extended Bayern’s perfect start to the campaign as they top the standings with nine points.
