Four-goal Harry Kane enjoyed another record-breaking night for Bayern Munich as they became the first team to score nine goals in a Champions League game. The 31-year-old England captain's performance in the 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb means he reached the following landmarks...
Kane's Historic Performance
- Top English scorer in Champions League or European Cup history with 33 goals in 45 games, passing Wayne Rooney's old mark of 30
- First English player to score four goals in a Champions League game
- First English player to score a hat-trick or more for a non-English team in the Champions League
- First player to score a hat-trick of penalties in a Champions League or European Cup match
- Scored his 50th, 51st, 52nd and 53rd Bayern Munich goals - in his 50th appearance for the club
- Netted the 24th hat-trick of his career, the fifth time he has scored back-to-back trebles (or quadruples)
- Scored his ninth goals in five games this season for Bayern - as well as two in two for England
On top of netting a rebound after Joshua Kimmich had a shot saved, and three penalties, Kane also had a goal disallowed, and right at the end of the game volleyed over the bar. Had he netted that chance he would have joined Erling Haaland as the only player to score five in a Champions League game.
He told Amazon Prime: "My son Louis, he loves playing football right now, he's only three but I'll take it [the match ball] home and put it next to his bed and he'll be happy when he wakes up in the morning."
On breaking the English Champions League record, he added: "Whenever you're in a conversation with Wayne Rooney it means you're doing something well. He's one of the greatest English players and one of the best players there was in the game. It's a nice achievement."
Kompany's Bayern: A New Era
Bayern's first season without a trophy in over a decade saw Thomas Tuchel leave and Burnley boss Vincent Kompany take his place in the summer. They have won their opening four games under the Belgian, scoring 20 goals. Kompany’s team, however, had to come back from a 1-0 deficit after Christian Pulisic scored for Milan inside the first three minutes of the match. The full-backs assisted the centre-halves for a pair of set-piece goals in the first half, before Dominik Szoboszlai finished off a fine move to give Slot’s side three points in arguably their hardest away game of the new-look league stage.
Bayern's impressive start under Kompany has fueled expectations of a successful season, with the Champions League final taking place at their Allianz Arena home. "We're not managing expectations right now," said Kompany. "The final in Munich next year is a dream for the fans, a dream that needs to live. My priority is just to focus on each game, one at a time, rebuild the energy and the desire to win the games."
A Night of Records
This was the first time any team have scored nine goals in a European Cup game since Real Madrid beat Wacker Innsbruck 9-1 in 1990-91. It marked the joint second highest scoring Champions League game - and the joint third biggest margin of victory.
European football journalist Mina Rzouki said: "I think Bayern Munich are going to be the team to beat. There was criticism aimed at Vincent Kompany when he got the job, but what a way to start your Champions League campaign. From an attacking point of view they're attacking on all cylinders."
However, former Bayern and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, on TNT Sports, said: "I don’t think he [Kane] will win the Champions League, conceding two to Dinamo Zagreb."
A Promising Debut for Olise
For a while it appeared the focus would maybe be on another London-born player - Michael Olise. The winger, who recently made his France debut, was making his European debut after a summer move from Crystal Palace. And the former Reading player scored twice, once in each half.
The £50m signing looks as if he might be on for a fine season - having also netted in the Bundesliga at the weekend - but for now at least all the headlines were on Kane.
A Historic Night in Munich
The 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb was a resounding statement of intent from Bayern Munich under Kompany. It was a night to remember for Kane, as he etched his name into the Champions League history books. The performance showcased Bayern's attacking prowess and solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with this season.