BAYERN MÛNCHEN | MOST GOALS IN 2025

 

GERMANY 'SEND MESSAGE' WITH 6-0 SLOVAKIA ROUT TO REACH 2026 WORLD CUP

Germany have laboured past underdog opponents in this campaign but were 4-0 up at half-time and humming in Leipzig.

Leroy Sane struck twice and Nick Woltemade scored for the third straight Germany game.© X 

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said his side "wanted to send a message" with Monday's 6-0 thumping of Slovakia in Leipzig which sealed their progress to the 2026 World Cup. Leroy Sane struck twice and Nick Woltemade scored for the third straight Germany. The win put Germany through atop Group A and into next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Slovakia finished second and will go into a play-off. "Everyone wanted to send a message today. Everyone knew what was at stake," Kimmich told Germany's ZDF. "In Germany, we're not used to it being difficult to qualify -- that's why I'm very happy with how we played."

Germany have laboured past underdog opponents in this campaign but were 4-0 up at half-time and humming in Leipzig.

Woltemade continued his golden run with the opening goal after 18 minutes. Serge Gnabry added the second 11 minutes later. 

Under pressure Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz sparked to life late in the first half, laying on two goals for Sane in five minutes. 

Ridle Baku and debutant Assan Ouedraogo scored in the second half.

"We're relieved. It's a great moment," Woltemade said. "I'm playing, I'm scoring goals and I'm hopefully playing at the World Cup."

"Tonight we showed the quality we have in this team. It was a pleasure," Woltemade, 23, added. 

Germany's win also guarantees the four-time World Cup winners a high seeding that should protect them from an early clash with another of the tournament's big guns. 

"Every player played well today and worked like a dog," coach Julian Nagelsmann said. 

"We showed incredible team spirit and pushed ourselves on the pitch from the very beginning." 

Fifth straight victory

The nature of Germany's fifth straight victory puts a glowing finish on a solid but unimpressive qualifying campaign. 

Germany have been efficient but rarely impressive and needed to avoid defeat on Monday to top their group and qualify directly.

Slovakia had dominated Germany to win 2-0 in the reverse fixture, their first ever competitive victory over the European giants.

Nagelsmann will be buoyed by the performance under pressure while several injured starters will make their way back in the coming months, including Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rudiger and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. 

The Germans helped quell the butterflies when Woltemade headed in to break through with 18 minutes gone. 

The strike meant the Newcastle striker had scored Germany's past four goals over three games.

After Slovakia's Michal Duris forced a fingertip save from Germany's Oliver Baumann, Gnabry put the fans in party mood with 29 minutes gone, guiding the ball home to double Germany's lead. 

Wirtz then found Sane with two pinpoint passes to put Germany four up at the break. 

Nagelsmannn took off captain Joshua Kimmich with Germany well in control and his replacement Baku had an immediate impact, blasting in a Gnabry pass two minutes after coming on. 

The Germany coach bought on teenager Ouedraogo with 15 minutes remaining and the RB Leipzig midfielder added a goal and celebrated in front of his home fans.

- Agence France-Presse

SPAIN ROMPS AS GERMANY WINS FIRST WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Spain's Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring a hat-trick in his side's 6-0 dismantling of Turkey. Photo: Reuters

Mikel Merino scored a hat-trick as a majestic Spain thumped Turkey 6-0 away in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, while a brilliant Florian Wirtz free-kick helped Germany beat Northern Ireland 3-1 to get their bid up and running.

European champions Spain were in unstoppable form in the central Turkish city of Konya, claiming their second biggest-ever away win in World Cup qualifying as Arsenal midfielder Merino scored his first professional hat-trick.

Barcelona playmaker Pedri Gonzalez opened the scoring inside six minutes and later completed the scoring, with Ferran Torres netting the visitors' other goal.

The quality of Merino's strikes was remarkable, with his first coming at the end of a superb team move and his second a controlled finish from a Pedri assist. He completed his triple with a curling shot into the top corner.

The one blemish on the night's work for Spain was the withdrawal of Nico Williams due to an apparent thigh injury, but Luis de la Fuente's team are already clear at the top of qualifying Group E with six points from two games.

"I'm very happy for winning, to pick up six points, for doing it in this way, and for scoring three goals, which is not normal – the first hat-trick of my career," said Merino.

The group winners will qualify directly for the finals, with the runners-up progressing to a play-off phase.

Georgia and Turkey come next on three points each, with the former beating Bulgaria 3-0 in Tbilisi thanks to goals by captain Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nika Gagnidze and Georges Mikautadze.

Germany were under pressure after losing their opening qualifier 2-0 in Slovakia on Thursday, and it took them until the final quarter of their home meeting with Northern Ireland in Cologne before they could secure the victory.

Serge Gnabry gave the hosts an early lead only for Isaac Price of West Bromwich Albion to equalise before half-time.

The home fans were unhappy with Julian Nagelsmann's team, but they eventually retook the lead on 69 minutes when substitute Nadiem Amiri turned in David Raum's cross.

Liverpool star Wirtz, playing in his home city, then took centre stage by converting a free-kick in style to seal Germany's first win in Group A.

"We knew it was a catastrophe (in the) last game and we wanted to do things better," Wirtz told Germany's RTL network.

"It was a good performance (which) we can definitely build on."

They and Northern Ireland both have three points, while Slovakia lead the way on six points after Tomas Rigo's late goal clinched a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg.

Memphis Depay became the Netherlands' all-time top goalscorer with a brace in their 3-2 win in Lithuania in Group G.

Depay, who now plays in Brazil for Corinthians, scored his 51st and 52nd international goals to move clear of Robin van Persie, with whom he had been tied in first place on half a century of strikes for the Oranje.

Ronald Koeman's side have 10 points after four matches and are ahead of Poland on goal difference with a game in hand.

Poland won 3-1 at home to Finland in Chorzow with Matty Cash, captain Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Kaminski netting before Benjamin Kaellman pulled one back for Finland, who are three points behind the leading duo in third.

Belgium recorded a second 6-0 win in as many matches in Group J as they swept aside Kazakhstan at Anderlecht's stadium in Brussels.

North Macedonia beat Liechtenstein 5-0 in the same group and they are top with 11 points from five matches, one ahead of Belgium – who have a game in hand – and Wales. 

- AFP

LUIS DIAZ MAKES TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO FORMER LIVERPOOL TEAMMATE DIOGO JOTA AS HE SCORES FOR BAYERN MÜNCHEN ON DEBUT

Luis Diaz paid tribute to Diogo Jota by emulating his celebration after scoring for Bayern Munich in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.

The winger has made his first competitive appearance for Bayern following a £65.5million transfer from Liverpool earlier in the summer.

Diaz made a touching tribute to his former teammateCredit: Getty

After Harry Kane put them ahead against VfB Stuttgart, Diaz scored in the second half with a header from Serge Gnabry's cross.

He then performed the video game celebration that Jota iconically did before he and his brother Andre Silva tragically died last month.

Diaz and Jota made 73 appearances together for Liverpool and won the Premier League title at Anfield last season.

They also collected winners' medals in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Darwin Nunez also did the celebration for Liverpool in a pre-season friendly against Preston North End.

Although Jamie Leweling netted late on for Stuttgart, the goals from Kane and Diaz were enough for Bayern to win 2-1.

Their victory has come on a weekend full of tributes for Jota and Silva after they passed in a car accident in Spain.

Paying tribute to Jota and Silva

Liverpool, for whom Jota scored 65 goals in 182 matches, unveiled fan mosaics for the brothers before their 4-2 win against Bournemouth.

'DJ 20' was raised in The Kop, whilst the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand held up 'AS 30'.

Supporters inside Anfield also performed an emotional rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before a period of silence

Diaz and Jota both had hugely successful spells at LiverpoolCredit: AFP

Anfield commenced the weekend's tributes to Jota and SilvaCredit: Getty

Liverpool fans then chanted 'Oh he wears the number 20' during the 20th minute of the match.

At full-time, Mohamed Salah appeared to be fighting back tears amid the poignant occasion.

Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolves, where he netted 44 times in 131 outings.

The club also prepared tributes for him and Silva at Molineux ahead of their Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

A large tifo of Jota was displayed before kick-off with a banner that read 'We'll remember you when you walk in fields of gold'.

Wolves then played his favourite song, Fields of Gold by Sting, on the speakers inside the ground.

Wolves also paid their respects with an impressive displayCredit: AFP

Similar to Liverpool, fans applauded him during the 18th minute in reference to the shirt number he wore for the club.

Liverpool recently announced that the no. 20 shirt has been retired across all levels at the club in tribute to Jota.

- Robert Calcutt

TUCHEL BLASTS REFEREE OVER MISSED PENALTY FOR 'KIDS MISTAKE '

Thomas Tuchel was left furious by the referee's decision not to award Bayern Munich a second penalty. Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

 Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has expressed his fury at Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg's failure to award a penalty for a "kid's mistake" during Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal first leg clash at Arsenal.

The Bundesliga giants earned a 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium as Bukayo Saka put the home side in front on 12 minutes before Serge Gnabry's 18th-minute strike and a Harry Kane spot-kick put Bayern ahead at the break.

Substitute Leandro Trossard drew Arsenal level 14 minutes from time and Saka felt he should have had a penalty in stoppage-time when going down under a challenge from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

But Tuchel focused on a 66th-minute decision -- with the score at 2-1 to Bayern -- when David Raya played a goal kick short to Gabriel and the Arsenal defender picked the ball up with his hands before attempting to restart play even though the ball was live.

Bayern protested but nothing was given.

"For me, for all of us, he made a huge mistake not giving the handball penalty," said Tuchel afterwards.

"I know it is a crazy situation but they put the ball down, he whistles, he gives the ball and the defender takes the ball in his hand.

"What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field. He told our players that it is a 'kid's mistake' and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarterfinal. This is a horrible, horrible explanation. He is judging handballs. Kid's mistake, adult's mistake. Whatever. We feel angry because it is a huge decision against us."

Arteta refused to be drawn on either the challenge on Saka -- which left the winger furious at full-time -- or Kane's 55th-minute collision with William Saliba, where the England captain was booked for a stray elbow.

"I haven't seen it," he said. "The decision is made. We cannot change that. We have to focus on other aspects that we can control. We could have done much better tonight.

"Against these kind of players, this opposition, especially when they have space you know they can punish. We have let them run in a few occasions. That's something in the return leg that we have to do much better.

"The margins are very small in this competition. It's very difficult to penetrate the opponents and generate chances against this level of opposition.

"You have to make sure as well that you don't give anything. I think the team showed a lot of composure especially after 2-1. You can throw your toys away and generate a lot of spaces for the opponent and lose the tie in 20 minutes. We haven't done that."

The return leg takes place in Munich next Wednesday.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

SMALL MARGINS WILL DEFINE SECOND LEG BETWEEN ARSENAL - BAYERN

Bayern Munich and Arsenal played out to a 2-2 draw which leaves their quarterfinal tie all on the line in Munich next week. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

 )

LONDON -- Bayern Munich's pedigree cancelled out Arsenal's promise. Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium leaves this UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie finely poised and it will ask perhaps the one remaining question this Gunners side have yet to conclusively answer: can they deliver when the stakes are at their highest

There is no doubting the progress manager Mikel Arteta has engendered at Arsenal, nor their resolve in coming from behind to salvage a draw through Leandro Trossard's 76th-minute equaliser. However, this is the third successive European game in which the Gunners have been bereft of the poise that has permeated their Premier League form, a likely consequence of their lack of experience in knockout ties at the business end of Europe's premier club competition.

There was no gulf in class evident the last time these two sides met in 2017 -- when Bayern thrashed Arsenal 10-2 on aggregate -- but nervousness in defence and a lack of fluidity in attack undermined their efforts to take control of proceedings.

"We have made some mistakes today," said Gunners boss Arteta. "The probability for that to happen next time is less. OK, it happened today. Let's learn from it. Let's support those players that have been unbelievable. It's part of football as well.

"Against these kind of players, this opposition, especially when they have space you know they can punish. We have let them run on a few occasions. That's something in the return leg that we have to do much better."

It is uncharacteristic of recent weeks. Arsenal conceded two goals in eight matches before Tuesday night but were breached twice in 14 minutes here as Bayern recovered from Bukayo Saka's excellent 12th-minute strike which put them in front. Bayern were supposedly the vulnerable side ahead of kick-off.

Facing a failure to win the Bundesliga for the first time since 2012, a manager in Thomas Tuchel whose end-of-season departure has already been confirmed and no fans inside the stadium here due to a UEFA ban, a defeat would have been in keeping with a disappointing campaign.

Yet that intangible quality, an ability to rise to the occasion and attune to the small margins and fine details of Champions League knockout football, came to the fore. They had to survive what Arteta described afterwards as "the critical moment of the match" when Ben White fired straight at Manuel Neuer when through at 1-0 up but thereafter, Arsenal looked both surprised and frightened by Bayern's counter-attacking pace, defending with a high line looked either brave or reckless depending on its success.

Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been the best centre-back pairing in England this season but both were flustered, the former giving the ball away to allow Leon Goretzka to find Serge Gnabry to equalise on 18 minutes.

Blind panic followed 14 minutes later. Sane turned Jakub Kiwior and burst forward on a run which saw limbs flailing in his direction, Gabriel lunging in the box before Saliba caught the Bayern winger in the box. Harry Kane scored his 15th goal against Arsenal from the resulting penalty, dispatched in a highly unusual fashion, stroked into the net rather than dispatched with his trademark power.

The England captain revealed afterwards that he had watched David Raya in the previous round's penalty shootout against Porto, noting that he "goes to the corners early" and he adjusted accordingly. Small margins, again. Those small margins extended to the officiating. 10 minutes into the second half, Kane caught Saliba with an elbow which looked worse with each replay. A yellow card was given.

In the 66th minute, Raya played the ball short to Gabriel. He handled the ball in the box to restart play even though the game was live. Bayern protested, but nothing was given. Tuchel later revealed Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg recognised the error but his explanation left him furious.

"For me, for all of us, he made a huge mistake not giving the handball penalty," said Tuchel. "I know it is a crazy situation but they put the ball down, he whistles, he gives the ball and the defender takes the ball in his hand. "What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field. He told our players that it is a 'kid's mistake' and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarterfinal. This is a horrible, horrible explanation. He is judging handballs. Kid's mistake, adult's mistake. Whatever. We feel angry because it is a huge decision against us."

Arsenal deserve credit for galvanising themselves to equalise 14 minutes from time, or as Arteta put it, to not "throw your toys away and lose the tie." He recognised what was probably a mistake to start Kiwior at left-back against Leroy Sané and introduced Oleksandr Zinchenko at half-time but two further substitutes combined to haul Arsenal level, Gabriel Jesus expertly finding Trossard to sweep home first-time right-footed.

Arsenal felt they should have had a penalty in stoppage-time when Saka went down under Neuer's challenge in the box but Arteta did not mirror Tuchel's annoyance at the official.

"[The equaliser] created insecurity in the team because we gave them things that you have to earn, Then you have to defend open spaces against a team that have a huge capacity to hurt you there. After that we did well and we never gave up."

That spirit may be enough to get Arsenal the result they need in Allianz Arena next Wednesday. But they must execute their game plan with the efficiency expected of teams accustomed to this level to lower Bayern's colours.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

HARRY KANE STEERS BAYERN MUNICH INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS WITH TWO GOALS IN 3-0 WIN OVER LAZIO

DPA via AP

 MUNICH (AP) — He’s done it again.

Harry Kane scored twice to steer Bayern Munich into the quarterfinals of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Lazio on Tuesday.

Kane’s 32nd and 33rd goals this season for Bayern ensured the Bavarian powerhouse recovered from losing the first leg of the last 16 tie 1-0 in Rome to win 3-1 on aggregate over two legs.

“A perfect night for us,” said Kane, the man of the match.

The win will ease the pressure on Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, whose premature departure at the end of the season was announced by Bayern after the team's three-game losing run — including the defeat in Rome.

Bayern's new sporting director Max Eberl said before Tuesday's game that Tuchel would remain in charge afterward even if the team lost, but there had been a feeling defeat would bring forward the coach's exit.

Bayern, which is 10 points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, was facing the prospect of just its second elimination in 12 appearances at this stage of the Champions League.

“If we had been eliminated today, it would have been more than unfortunate,” Bayern president Herbert Hainer said.

Kane broke the deadlock in the 38th minute after Ciro Immobile had gone close for Lazio at the other end.

Thomas Müller headed Aleksandar Pavlović’s cross back for Raphaël Guerreiro to mis-hit it, and Kane threw himself at the ball to just head it past Ivan Provedel in the Lazio goal.

There was still time before the break for Müller to score in first-half stoppage time with a glancing header to Matthijs de Ligt’s shot after a corner.

Kane sealed the result in the 66th by firing in the rebound after Leroy Sané drew a save from Provedel. It was the England captain’s sixth Champions League goal this season.