Staff Reporter.
Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich tamed Flamengo 4-2 in a tense affair at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday to set up a much-anticipated all-European clash against Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup.
Erick Pulgar’s own goal opened the scoring for Bayern and Leon Goretzka was also on target for German side, while Flamengo, who were defensively naive, twice reduced the arrears through Gerson and Jorginho.
It was 2-0 just three minutes later, Kane rifling home a fierce low drive – via a slight deflection off Leo Ortiz – after Dayot Upamecano had dispossessed Giorgian de Arrascaeta inside the Flamengo half.
Gerson beat Manuel Neuer with a rasping strike to give Flamengo hope 12 minutes before half-time, but Leon Goretzka restored Bayern’s two-goal advantage with a long-range effort that appeared to wrongfoot goalkeeper Agustin Rossi on its way in.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho sent Neuer the wrong way from the penalty spot after Michael Olise had handled De Arrascaeta’s shot inside the box early in the second half, but another clinical Kane finish completed the scoring with 18 minutes remaining.
Bayern will face European champions Paris St-Germain in Saturday’s quarter-final.
“It was tough. We were playing against a really good side in difficult conditions, it was really hot,” Kane said.
“I thought we played well for large spells but every time we got away they clawed their way back and made it difficult. The fourth goal was important to ease the nerves and from there we managed it well.”