Kane Brace Powers Bayern Past Union SG Despite Kim Red Card

Bayern Munich eventually found their cutting edge in the second half to claim a hard-earned 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in Champions League Round 7, with Harry Kane once again proving decisive on a tense night in Munich.

The first half did not follow the expected script. Bayern dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-drilled Union side that showed no fear on Europe’s biggest stage. The visitors created the clearer chances before the interval, most notably when Promise David met a pinpoint diagonal ball with a free header, only for Manuel Neuer to produce a stunning reflex save from point-blank range. Kevin Mac Allister also went close, stretching to poke a dangerous delivery wide, as Union left Bayern frustrated and goalless at the break.

Vincent Kompany’s side emerged after the interval with renewed urgency, and the breakthrough arrived seven minutes into the second half. Michael Olise delivered a teasing corner to the near post, where Kane rose above his marker to power home a close-range header, ending his three-game Champions League goal drought in emphatic fashion.

Moments later, Bayern doubled their advantage from the penalty spot. Kane was slipped through down the left, allowed the ball to run across his body and was clipped by goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. The England captain made no mistake, calmly rolling the resulting spot-kick into the bottom-right corner to put Bayern firmly in control.

The contest took a dramatic turn just after the hour mark when Min-Jae Kim was sent off for a second bookable offence following an off-the-ball pull on Raul Florucz. Reduced to ten men, Bayern might have been expected to retreat, but instead they continued to press for a third goal.

They were awarded a second, more controversial penalty after Kamiel Van de Perre was judged to have handled inside the area. Kane stepped up with the chance to complete his hat-trick, but this time his effort crashed back off the crossbar, ending his perfect Champions League penalty record.

Union attempted to rally late on, but Bayern remained composed, controlling possession and limiting their visitors to speculative efforts. Michael Olise squandered a golden opportunity to seal the game when he blazed over from close range, though it mattered little as Bayern saw out the closing stages comfortably.

The numbers underlined Bayern’s dominance after the break, finishing with an expected goals tally of 3.14 compared to Union’s 0.88. The victory lifts Bayern to second in the league phase, giving them a three-point cushion over third place ahead of a tricky trip to PSV Eindhoven.

For Union Saint-Gilloise, the defeat leaves their top-24 hopes hanging by a thread. David Hubert’s side must now win their next fixture to stay alive in the competition, knowing they will rue the missed chances that kept them from capitalising on a strong first-half display in Munich.