Bayern Munich advanced to a FIFA World Club Cup quarter-final date with Paris Saint-Germain after a thrilling 4-2 victory over Flamengo at a hot and humid Hard Rock Arena, as Vincent Kompany’s side ended the Rubro-Negro’s 11-fixture undefeated run.
The Brazilians came into this duel with their reputation enhanced after topping Group D and overcoming Chelsea, but it didn’t take long for the Rio de Janeiro outfit to be brought back down to earth after conceding twice in the first 10 minutes.
Erick Pulgar diverted Joshua Kimmich’s corner into his own trap in the sixth minute, before Harry Kane fired home his 40th strike of the campaign with a precise long-range left-footed strike which clipped in off the post.
Fixture statsStatsperformFlamengo responded well and were denied a chance to halve the deficit when Manuel Neuer produced an outstanding save to deny Luiz Araújo, after he latched onto Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s cut-back inside the box.
Aside from the goals, Bayern were looking quite unconvincing, and Filipe Luís’ side deservedly reduced the arrears sole past the half-hour mark across Gerson.
The skipper smashed home a ferocious strike which seemed to go straight across Neuer’s grasp, and punished a lackadaisical Bayern side that failed to seize drive following their electric start.
But the pendulum swung back in favour of the Bundesliga champions courtesy of Leon Goretzka’s expertly taken effort from distance at the end of an absorbing first half.
This Flamengo side refused to lie down though, as Luís’ men moved back inside a strike of Bayern thanks to Jorginho’s spotkick.
The Italian was coolness personified in dispatching the ball from 12 yards, after Michael Olise was penalised for handling De Arrascaeta’s delivery into the box.
However, the Bavarians brought out their get out of jail free card again in form of Kane, who brilliantly took Kimmich’s pass into his stride and caressed a superb right-footed shot past Agustín Rossi.
Kompany’s men saw out the closing stages with relative comfort to seal a meeting with PSG in the last eight.
But judging by this display in Miami, the rampaging reigning European champions will fancy their chances of reaching the semi-finals versus a Bayern squad which showed plenty of chinks in their armour.
However, Die Roten have won their last four versus the Parisians, majority recently in November 2024.
Betopick Top performer: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)Kane statsEduardo Carmim, Eduardo Carmim / Zuma Press / Profimedia / StatsperformSee a summary of the fixture here.
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