NEW DELHI: Bayern Munich secured their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Lazio on Tuesday, advancing 3-1 on aggregate.
English striker Harry Kane was the hero for Bayern, scoring a goal in each half to propel his team to victory.
Kane opened the scoring for Bayern in the 38th minute, heading home to cancel out Lazio's lead from the first leg and notch his first Champions League knockout goal in five years.
Thomas Mueller extended Bayern's lead just before halftime with a clever header, putting the hosts firmly in control.
In the second half, Kane doubled his tally in the 66th minute, tapping in the rebound from a Leroy Sane shot to seal Bayern's progression to the next round.
Speaking after the match, Kane expressed his delight with the team's performance, calling it a "perfect night." He praised Bayern's energy and all-around play, emphasizing the top-quality performance from every player on the pitch.
Bayern's victory keeps their hopes of silverware alive this season and likely grants outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel a reprieve until the quarter-finals in April. Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, acknowledged the difficulty of the competition but remained focused on the task at hand.
Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding Tuchel's impending departure, Kane emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum and praised the team's resilience.
Mueller echoed Kane's sentiments, highlighting the significance of Bayern's progression and emphasizing the team's happiness with the result.
For Lazio, the loss dashed their hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1999-2000.
Bayern's victory was a crucial turnaround after a challenging period, with the team facing the prospect of early elimination from the competition. Tuchel's tactical adjustments and the players' determined performance ensured Bayern's passage to the next round.
With the quarter-finals on the horizon, Bayern will look to build on their momentum and continue their pursuit of European glory.
(With inputs from AFP)
