Harry Kane scored a quickfire second-half double as 10-man Bayern Munich sealed their place in the Champions League round of 16 with a 2-0 win against Union Saint-Gilloise at Allianz Arena.
Kane, who had failed to score in Bayern’s previous three Champions League ties, struck twice in three minutes to take his season’s goals tally in all competitions to 34 in 29 appearances.
The England skipper spurned the chance of a hat trick when his second-half penalty struck a post, while Bayern defender Kim Min-Jae was sent off midway through the second period.
But Bayern’s sixth win in seven matches in this season’s competition saw them leapfrog Real Madrid back into second place in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Belgian side USG lost for the fifth time in their debut season at this stage of the competition and appear set to miss out on the playoffs.
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Bayern, who extended their latest unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions, have now scored 103 goals in total this campaign, including 20 in their last four Bundesliga games.
But in the first meeting between the two sides, Bayern drew a blank in the first half and were fortunate not to go behind before the interval.
After going close to taking an early lead when USG goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen saved bravely at the feet of Kane following Luis Díaz’s low cross, Bayern were given their first scare.
USG defender Kevin Mac Allister just failed to latch on to Raul Florucz’s excellent delivery and the visitors spurned an even better chance when unmarked striker Promise David headed straight at Manuel Neuer from in front of goal.
Bayern defender Raphaël Guerreiro headed narrowly over from a corner just before the break and the German champions struck two quickfire goals to take control soon after the restart.
Kane headed home Michael Olise’s corner in the 52nd minute and three minutes later, converted his seventh Champions League goal this season from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by Scherpen.
Kim was sent off for his second yellow card in the 63rd minute before Kane was handed a chance to seal his hat trick.
Kamiel Van de Perre handled Olise’s cross and after checking the monitor, referee Rade Obrenovic pointed to the spot, only for Kane’s effort to hit a post.
Both sides play their final league-phase match next Wednesday, with Bayern at PSV Eindhoven and USG at home against Atalanta.
PA contributed to this report.
