Bayern Munich secured a pulsating 4-2 victory over Flamengo in the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday, thanks to a brace by Harry Kane.
The German giants showcased their attacking prowess at Hard Rock Stadium, overcoming a spirited Brazilian side in a match that swung back and forth under the humid Miami sky.
Vincent Kompany, Bayern’s head coach, lauded his team’s relentless threat in attack despite Flamengo’s resilience. “We always stayed dangerous, whether we had the ball or were defending,” Kompany said post-match.
“Even in tough moments, we looked like a team that could score at any time. Staying calm under pressure is hard to coach, it’s about players taking responsibility, and they did that brilliantly.”
The match exploded into life early. Joshua Kimmich’s corner forced an own goal from Flamengo’s Erick Pulgar in the sixth minute, and Harry Kane doubled the lead with a clinical 40th goal of the season, his long-range strike clipping the post.
Flamengo fought back, with captain Gerson hammering a fierce shot past Manuel Neuer just past the half-hour mark after the German goalkeeper had denied Luiz Araujo with a stunning save.
Bayern restored their two-goal cushion before halftime through Leon Goretzka’s superb long-range effort.
Yet Flamengo refused to buckle, pulling one back via Jorginho’s composed penalty after Michael Olise’s handball. Kane, however, proved the difference, latching onto Kimmich’s pass to curl home a sublime fourth goal, sealing the win.
Flamengo’s coach, Filipe Luis, admitted Bayern’s relentless pressure overwhelmed his side. “They come at you with eight, 10 players, it’s immense,” Luís said. “We created chances, but they were better. They have the world’s best players, and that’s the reality.”
Luís also reflected on the gap between South American and European clubs, noting, “If players like Vinicius Jr stayed, it’d be different, but the elite talents move to Europe.”
Recent updates from Bayern’s official X account highlighted Kane’s “world-class finishing” and Kompany’s tactical tweaks, with the coach emphasizing squad depth ahead of the PSG clash. Flamengo’s X posts praised their fans’ support and Gerson’s leadership, vowing to “learn and grow” from the defeat.
Despite defensive frailties, Bayern’s attacking firepower carried them through. With a favorable recent record against PSG, winning their last four encounters, including a November 2024 triumph, the Bavarians will back themselves to progress.
However, PSG’s attacking stars will likely exploit the vulnerabilities exposed in this high-octane encounter.
