Harry Kane continues to make Bayern Munich’s investment look wise. The England captain struck twice in the first half as the German champions eased to a 5-1 victory over Cypriot side Pafos in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The win, played out in front of a lively crowd at the Pafos Municipal Stadium, keeps Bayern flawless in the group stage. It also pushed Kane to 17 goals for his club this season, more than any player in Europe’s top leagues.
“It’s always nice to help the team with goals,” Kane said afterwards. “But more important is the way we played. We were sharp from the start and showed real intent.”
Bayern were ruthless. Nicolas Jackson, making his Champions League debut for the Bavarians, scored once and set up another. Michael Olise, in sparkling form on the wing, added a goal of his own and laid on two assists. Leroy Sané sealed the rout late on, while Pafos managed only a consolation strike in the second half.
For the Cypriot hosts, the evening was a harsh lesson against one of Europe’s most seasoned sides. Yet Pafos did not fold. They pressed high early on and created chances, forcing Manuel Neuer into a save inside 15 minutes.
“We are disappointed with the result but proud of how we tried to play,” said Pafos coach Juan Carlos Carcedo. “This is a big step up for us, and the players gave everything.”
The defeat leaves Pafos with much to do if they are to progress, while Bayern march on with confidence. Manager Thomas Tuchel praised his side’s hunger: “We didn’t just play with quality, we played with intensity. That’s the standard we need to keep.”
For Kane, the night was another reminder of why Bayern fought so hard to bring him to Munich. Goals seem to follow wherever he goes. And right now, so do victories.
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