Celtic 1 Bayern Munich 2: Harry Kane strike gives Germans victory as Bhoys rally late on to keep slim hopes alive
HARRY KANE stuck a dagger through the hearts of Celtic and left them needing a Champions League miracle at Bayern Munich.
It’s been centuries since an Englishman was handed as much freedom in Scotland as he was at Parkhead in the 49th minute.
https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1889784245679186232And he ruthlessly pounced unmarked to volley home and follow Michael Olise’s opener, leaving Brendan Rodgers’ side with a mountain to climb next Tuesday.
But the Hoops managed to salvage a slither of hope as Daizen Maeda pulled one back late on.
It all started with another spine-tingling pre-match atmosphere that then exploded again 30 seconds after kick off.
Nicolas Kuhn slammed it past Manuel Neuer from 25 yards only for an offside flag to spoil the party with Adam Idah the guilty party.
That denied the 25-year-old German a goal against his old club and hopes of repeating the trick legitamately soon ended.
Bayern took control and their probing passing finally got through and set alarms bells ringing on half hour when Leroy Sane failed to connect properly from close-range.
Kane then got his first sniff and should have finished only to instead head straight at Schmeichel’s legs, although his blushes were somewhat spared by a late offside flag.
The England captain, already on 28 this term going into this, got a second bite of the cherry in the closing stages of the opening period but this time headed into the side-netting.
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https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1889778883534189026Luckily for Bayern Olise had his shooting boots on, and he broke the deadlock in thunderous fashion at a killer time for Celtic.
The ex-Crystal Palace winger cut brilliantly inside Greg Taylor and smashed it straight into the top corner from inside the corner of the box with the last kick of the half.
It was the first time in almost 17 years that Celtic had not recorded a shot, never mind on target, in the first half of a Champions League match.
The omens weren’t looking great for them either with Bayern going on to win 40 of the past 42 when they had led at the break in the competition and drawing the other two.
And Vincent Kompany’s boys were in no mood to break that run here.
They doubled their advantage just four minutes after the restart with Kane getting third time lucky.
He volleyed in from a corner at the back post from six yards out as both Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers pointed the finger of blame at each other.
Celtic were fuming when a VAR check ruled Arne Engels had not been fouled by Dayot Upamecano.
Hope looked to be fading when Daizen Maeda fired wide from a tight angle after rounding Neuer but their was still a late twist.
But the Japanese international was perfectly placed to help the ball in late on after Yang Hyun-Jun’s turn and shot to set up a frantic finish.
Backed by a thunderous crowd, Celtic huffed and puffed for an equaliser, but Bayern held firm to escape Scotland with the first leg advantage.
https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1889791983117357506THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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