Bayern Munich take control of UEFA Champions Leaue tie with impressive victory at Real Madrid

Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Díaz 41' (assist: Gnabry), 0-2 Kane 46' (assist: Olise), 1-2 Mbappé 74' (assist: Alexander-Arnold)

The Champions League quarter-final clash between Real and Bayern was billed as a meeting of European heavyweights, and it certainly lived up to expectations.

There was pre-match concern over Kane's fitness after an ankle injury, but the striker was deemed fit enough to start in a strong Bayern line-up. Real Madrid, meanwhile, were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 league defeat to Mallorca, with former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham starting on the bench due to recent injury issues.

Bayern strike first

Bayern started the brighter of the two sides with Konrad Laimer firing over in the opening minutes as they established early control. The visitors should have taken the lead in the ninth minute when Kane headed across goal to find Dayot Upamecano with an empty net at his mercy, but the French defender somehow failed to convert.

Real gradually grew into the contest, with Manuel Neuer making crucial saves to deny both Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.

The breakthrough came in the 41st minute when Bayern punished a Real turnover. Serge Gnabry and Kane combined brilliantly before Gnabry slipped in Díaz, who coolly slotted past Andriy Lunin to give the Bavarians a deserved half-time lead.