MUNICH, Germany: Harry Kane scored a goal in each half as Bayern Munich beat Lazio 3-0 on Tuesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate.
Kane headed Bayern level in the tie in the 38th minute, canceling out Lazio’s lead from the first leg with his first Champions League knockout goal in five years.
Thomas Mueller doubled the hosts’ lead with a clever header before half-time and Kane doubled up in the 66th minute, tapping in the rebound from a Leroy Sane shot to seal Bayern’s progress to the next round.
“It was a perfect night for us,” Kane told Amazon Prime.
“Everyone with energy, all around the pitch, the way we played and created chances and pressed without the ball — it was a top, top performance.”
Bayern kept their slim hopes of silverware this season alive while likely giving outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel a stay of execution until the quarter-finals in April.
“It’s the most difficult trophy to win in Europe, probably the world,” Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, told reporters.
“But it doesn’t get any easier or more difficult if you have a long contract or if you’re leaving at the end of the season.”
Kane recognized the manner of Tuchel’s exit was “unusual” but said “nights like this can change the season. I’m proud of the boys — we just have to keep this momentum up.”
Mueller, a two-time Champions League winner, said: “We’re going to make sure everyone enjoys this feeling, nevermind what is in the newspaper yesterday or tomorrow.”
“We’re very happy because we know the importance of progressing further today.”
The loss snuffed out Lazio’s chance of a first Champions League quarter-final appearance since 1999-2000.
Six-time European champions Bayern came into Tuesday’s match staring down the barrel of a last-16 elimination for just the second time in the past 13 seasons.
Three straight losses including the 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Rome amounted to Bayern’s worst run since 2015, costing Tuchel his job less than a year after arriving in Munich.
With Tuchel allowed to keep the seat warm until the summer, the coach promised to be more “ruthless.”
On Tuesday, he benched big-money signing Kim Min-jae for Eric Dier, while moving Joshua Kimmich — a fixture in midfield for Bayern and Germany — to right-back.
Bayern pushed Lazio back early with the fit-again Sane and Jamal Musiala going close.
Scorer of the first leg’s only goal, Ciro Immobile had a golden chance to extend Lazio’s lead after a Matthijs de Ligt mistake on 36 minutes but dragged his header just wide.
The miss would prove costly with Kane breaking through moments later, heading in a scuffed Raphael Guerreiro shot to even up the tie.
Mueller, another to see more game time after the announcement of Tuchel’s impending departure, doubled Bayern’s lead in first-half stoppage time, heading in a De Ligt shot in trademark poacher fashion.
Despite a prolific run in front of goal since arriving from Spurs, the German media joked the famously trophyless Kane had cursed Bayern, in danger of a first season without silverware since 2012.
The England captain made sure Bayern stayed in Europe though, turning in from close range after Sane forced a save from Lazio ‘keeper Ivan Provedel, his 33rd goal in as many appearances this season.
With Lazio striker Immobile taken off with a knee injury, the visitors looked toothless in attack as Bayern gently controlled proceedings to take the sting out of the game.
Bayern kept their first clean sheet in eight games with captain Manuel Neuer equalling the Champions League record of 57 set by Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.
‘Perfect day’ as Kane double powers Bayern into Champions League last eight
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‘Perfect day’ as Kane double powers Bayern into Champions League last eight
- Bayern kept their slim hopes of silverware this season alive while likely giving outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel a stay of execution until the quarter-finals in April
Spain will host 2030 World Cup final, says RFEF president
- Louzan did not say whether the match would be played at Santiago Bernabeu or Camp Nou
- Once completed in late 2028, the new stadium in Morocco is expected to hold 115,000 spectators
MADRID: Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzan has said that Spain will stage the final of the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Morocco wants to stage the game in Casablanca at the Grand Stade Hassan II, a huge stadium currently under construction north of the city.
“Spain has proven its organizational capacity over many years. It will be the leader of the 2030 World Cup and the final of that World Cup will be held here,” Louzan said late on Monday at an event organized by the Madrid Sports Press Association.
Louzan did not say whether the match would be played at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu or Barcelona’s Camp Nou, the two leading candidates.
Once completed in late 2028, the new stadium in Morocco is expected to hold 115,000 spectators. Morocco’s Royal Football Federation (FRMF) President Faouzi Lekjaa last year expressed his wish to see a final against Spain in Casablanca.
Louzan also alluded to the challenges Morocco faced during its hosting of the last Africa Cup of Nations, including the chaotic scenes during the final between Senegal and Morocco this month.
That match, which Senegal won 1-0, was overshadowed by fan disruptions and player protests that temporarily halted play.
“Morocco is really undergoing a transformation in every sense, with magnificent stadiums,” Louzan said. “We must recognize what has been done well. But in the Africa Cup of Nations, we have seen scenes that damage the image of world football.”
FIFA and the Portuguese and Moroccan football federations have not responded to requests for comment on the final’s location.
FIFA told Reuters last year it was premature to decide the venue for the 2030 final, saying the host city for the 2026 World Cup final was revealed only two years before the tournament. World soccer’s ruling body has the final say on where the match will be played.
