Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich cruised into the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Flamengo at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The England captain delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing, netting once in each half to ensure the German champions outclassed the Brazilian giants in a thrilling Last 16 encounter witnessed by over 60,000 spectators.
It took Bayern just six minutes to get on the scoresheet, though it came through an unfortunate moment for Flamengo’s Erick Pulgar, who diverted the ball into his own net following a cross from the right.
The Bundesliga giants doubled their lead moments later, this time through their talisman. Dayot Upamecano charged forward from the back and picked out Kane with a low cross. The striker did the rest, calmly slotting past Agustin Rossi for 2-0.
Despite the early shock, Flamengo refused to back down. Gerson brought them back into the contest in the 33rd minute with a smart finish following a through ball from Giorgian de Arrascaeta, sparking celebrations among the sea of red-clad Brazilian supporters.
However, Bayern struck a crucial blow just before the interval. Leon Goretzka was left unmarked on the edge of the box and rifled a right-footed shot beyond Rossi to restore the two-goal cushion at halftime.
The second half saw Flamengo emerge with renewed intensity, and they were rewarded when Jorginho converted a 55th-minute penalty after Matheus França was brought down in the box. At 3-2, the game hung in the balance.
But it was Kane again who doused the flames of a potential comeback. In the 73rd minute, Joshua Kimmich delivered an inch-perfect pass over the top, and Kane controlled with sublime precision before firing into the far corner for his second of the night — and Bayern’s fourth.
With the score at 4-2 and time ticking away, Flamengo threw on attacking substitutes including Bruno Henrique and Nicolas de la Cruz, but Bayern’s defence held firm. Thomas Müller came on in the dying moments, likely making one of his final appearances in a Bayern shirt, as the Germans professionally managed the closing stages.
Even a seven-minute injury time spell couldn’t change the outcome, with Neuer commanding his box and Leroy Sane coming close to adding a fifth. A late yellow card for Kane — earned while tracking back to stop a Flamengo counter — showed his full-hearted commitment to the cause.
This win sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, two of Europe’s most prolific attacking sides. With both clubs in top scoring form, fans can expect another spectacle.
As for Flamengo, their hopes of lifting a global title were dashed once again. Despite some spirited moments and passionate support in the stands, they were ultimately undone by Bayern’s precision and Kane’s ruthlessness in front of goal.
Kane, who has often faced criticism for chasing trophies outside England, reminded the world why Bayern Munich brought him to Bavaria. Two goals, relentless pressing, and a yellow card earned deep in his own half — the complete performance from one of the game’s best number nines.
With this form, Bayern Munich will believe they can go all the way in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup, and Kane’s dream of lifting silverware on the global stage is well and truly alive.
