Bayern Bounce Back to Sink Sporting in Munich
Bayern Munich recovered from an early shock to beat Sporting CP 3-1 at the Allianz Arena, a victory that steadied their Champions League campaign and lifted them to second place in the table.
Bayern Munich returned to winning ways in the Champions League with a composed 3-1 victory over Sporting CP, overcoming a second-half scare to reassert their dominance at the Allianz Arena.
The Bundesliga champions set the tempo from the opening whistle and thought they had taken an early lead when teenage talent Lennart Karl curled a superb effort into the top corner. The celebration was cut short, however, as VAR ruled Serge Gnabry offside in the build-up. Bayern continued to apply pressure, with Harry Kane coming closest before the break when his long-range drive smashed against the outside of the post.
Despite Bayern’s control, it was Sporting who struck first after the restart. A dangerous cross from the left by Alisson Santos caused panic in the box, and Joshua Kimmich inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to hand the Portuguese side a surprise lead against the run of play.
The response from Bayern was swift and decisive. Ten minutes later, Michael Olise delivered a teasing corner that drifted all the way to the back post, where Gnabry was on hand to tap home the equaliser and restore order.
Momentum firmly swung back in Bayerns favour, and the turnaround was completed in the 69th minute. Konrad Laimer picked out Karl inside the box, and the 17-year-old showed maturity beyond his years by dragging a precise finish across goal beyond Rui Silva to make it 2-1.
Sporting struggled to recover as Bayern sensed blood. The hosts sealed the victory ten minutes later from another set-piece. Gnabry headed a short corner back into the danger area, and Jonathan Tah arrived to poke the ball home, scoring his first-ever Champions League goal.
The win moves Bayern up to second place in the Champions League standings on 15 points, strengthening their push for direct qualification to the knockout stages. Sporting slip to ninth and into the play-off positions, knowing tougher tests still lie ahead. After a brief wobble, Bayern appear back on track on the European stage.
