By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 29, 2025 23:45 PM • 100 views
Harry Kane continued his blistering goal-scoring form, netting twice to lead Bayern Munich past Flamengo 4-2 in a riveting Club World Cup round-of-16 clash at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The win sets up a blockbuster quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain and marks another milestone in what is becoming a defining campaign for the England captain. It took just six minutes for Bayern to take control. A whipped Joshua Kimmich corner forced Chilean midfielder Erick Pulgar into a disastrous own goal, the ball cannoning off the inside of the post and past a stranded Agustin Rossi. The Brazilian side's 11-match unbeaten run was unravelling before it had begun. Three minutes later, Bayern doubled their lead. Dayot Upamecano's aggressive pressing dispossessed Giorgian De Arrascaeta deep in Flamengo's half, and Kane did the rest—smashing a low, deflected drive into the corner for his 40th goal of the season. While Flamengo briefly responded—Gerson's thundering effort halved the deficit—it was only a flicker. Leon Goretzka restored Bayern's cushion before the break with a swerving long-range effort that caught Rossi off balance. Jorginho's coolly-taken penalty after a Michael Olise handball offered Flamengo a lifeline early in the second half, but Kane was simply too much to handle. A slick one-two with Kimmich unlocked the Brazilian back line again, and Kane slotted home his second—and 41st of the season—with the ruthlessness that has defined his first season in Bavaria.
Kane Shines Bright in the Florida Heat
In a contest filled with attacking verve, it was Kane who once again stood head and shoulders above the rest. Now, with back-to-back 40+ goal seasons, the 31-year-old continues to silence any lingering doubts about his move to Germany. His brace in Miami lifted Bayern into the last eight and reaffirmed his status as one of the game's most complete forwards.
"Harry has this rare blend of hunger and calm," said Bayern boss Vincent Kompany after the match. "He makes the extraordinary feel routine. That's what defines the best."
The win also served as a swift response to Bayern's disappointing 1-0 loss to Benfica earlier in the tournament. With seven changes to the lineup, Kompany's men looked recharged and razor-sharp from kickoff.
Flamengo Fall Short Despite Grit
To their credit, Flamengo refused to go down without a fight. Gerson was a standout, his goal giving the South American giants hope, and Jorginho showed composure from the spot. But defensive frailty and Bayern's relentless intensity proved too much. Pulgar's nightmare evening summed up Flamengo's struggles. After gifting Bayern their opener, he was booked for a reckless challenge on Kane and eventually stretchered off—his body and spirit clearly broken. Flamengo had conceded just five goals in their previous 11 matches. Against Bayern, they conceded four in 90 minutes—an indictment of how overwhelmed they were by the Bundesliga champions' pace and precision.
A Quarter-Final to Savor
All eyes now turn to Saturday's mouth-watering clash between Bayern Munich and PSG in Atlanta—a meeting between two of Europe's modern juggernauts. Kane will once again be central to Bayern's hopes, while PSG's Joao Neves—himself fresh off a brace against Inter Miami—awaits in what promises to be a titanic battle of elite strikers and continental ambition. For Flamengo, their Club World Cup journey ends here, but their domestic title chase resumes on July 17 against Santos. Their focus now shifts back to Brazil, where they remain at the top of the Serie A standings.
