Bayern Munich drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg as Harry Kane set a new record in the competition.
Kane scored from the penalty spot at the start of the second half to make it 2-1 for Bayern, just four minutes after Leroy Sane had brilliantly equalized.
This successfully converted penalty made Kane the first English player to be directly involved in 11 goals in a single Champions League season.
Kane is the top scorer in Europe’s five major leagues in all competitions this season (43 – level with Kylian Mbappe), while the England captain now has the most goals and assists of any player (54 – 43 goals and 11 assists). .
Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid
Bayern and Real shared four goals in this semi-final first leg, setting up a fantastic second leg in Madrid.#FCBRMA pic.twitter.com/MSnFqHph5P
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) April 30, 2024
Vinicius Junior scored both of Madrid’s goals. His opening goal came in the 24th minute when the Brazilian striker coolly fired home a wonderful through ball from Toni Kroos.
Kroos, playing against his former club, made 15 game-changing passes in the first half, at least ten more than any other player on the pitch.
Vinicius’ second goal came from twelve meters after Kim Min-jae Rodrygo had fouled in Bayern’s penalty area.
After sending Manuel Neuer the wrong way, Vinicius marked his 31st direct goal involvement since the start of the 2021/22 season (16 goals, 15 assists). That’s more goal involvements than any other player during this time.
Jude Bellingham was unable to exert his usual influence on the game, only creating one chance and having no chance in his 32nd Champions League appearance.
32 – Tonight is Jude Bellingham’s 32nd appearance in the UEFA Champions League – in the competition’s history only Cesc Fàbregas (34) has achieved more before turning 21. Checked. pic.twitter.com/BApmaG4Wtv
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 30, 2024
Only Cesc Fabregas, 34, has played more Champions League games than Bellingham before the age of 21, with the former Borussia Dortmund star drawing level with Iker Casillas and Roque Santa Cruz.
At the other end of the age spectrum, Müller has now played 150 Champions League games for Bayern, making him only the third player after Xavi (151 for Barcelona) and Casillas (150 for Real) to reach this milestone for a single club in the competition reached Madrid).