Harry Kane stole the show as FC Bayern Munich booked their place in the Club World Cup 2025 quarter-finals with a commanding 4-2 victory over Brazil’s Flamengo.

They say if you want to shock your opponent—score early. Bayern did just that. Twice.

In a blistering opening, the German champions struck twice within five minutes. The first came from a Flamengo miscue: Erick Pulgar, under pressure during a corner, inadvertently flicked the ball into his own net. Moments later, Kane added a second with a laser-accurate strike from outside the box, kissing the inside of the post before nestling into the back of the net. Vintage Kane. Vintage Bayern.

To their credit, Flamengo didn’t fold. The Brazilian side—currently top of their domestic league—pushed back, and were rewarded on 33 minutes. Gerson unleashed a thunderous shot from the edge of the area, catching Manuel Neuer off guard to reduce the deficit. Game on.

But Bayern had another gear. Just before the break, Leon Goretzka restored their two-goal cushion with a long-range effort that left Flamengo’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot. 3-1 at halftime, and the Germans were in control.

It’s worth noting Flamengo had been in a similar spot during the group stage against Chelsea, trailing after the first half. But unlike that game—where luck helped the Blues—this time the scoreboard told the true story. Still, the Brazilians came out swinging after the interval, and were handed a lifeline on 55 minutes.

Michael Olise, defending a cross with arms too wide, conceded a penalty. Jorginho coolly slotted it home to make it 3-2. Suddenly, the tie was back in the balance.

Yet Bayern didn’t panic. Instead of bunkering down, they upped the tempo, reclaimed possession dominance and pinned Flamengo deep in their half. The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute, again born from their relentless pressing. Kane latched onto a loose ball just outside the box and buried it in the bottom corner. 4-2. Job done.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Flamengo - Bayern 2:4 (1:3)
Goals: Pulgar, 5 (own goal) (0:1); Kane, 10 (0:2); Gerson, 33 (1:2); Goretzka, 41 (1:3); Jorginho, 55 (penalty) (2:3); Kane, 73 (2:4)

Flamengo: Rossi A.; Alex Sandro (Ayrton Lucas, 82); Leo Ortiz; Pereira Léo; Pulgar (Allan, 45); Wesley; De Arrascaeta (Bruno Henrique, 58); Jorginho (De La Cruz, 81); Gerson (Wallace Yan, 82); Luiz Araújo; Plata
Bench: Cunha M. Q.; Varela; Viña; Danilo; Araujo Evertton; Juninho dos Santos; Michael; Pedro Ab.; Everton Soares
Yellow Cards: Pulgar 42; Plata 44; Allan 45; Wesley 63

Bayern: Neuer; Stanisic; Tah J.; Upamecano; Gnabry (Musiala, 72); Goretzka (Pavlovic Al., 59); Kimmich; Coman (Sane L., 59); Laimer (Boey, 93); Olise; Kane (Muller, 93)
Bench: Peretz Da.; Urbig; Aznou; Guerreiro; Kiala; Kim Min-jae; Santos; Bischof T.; Palhinha; Karl
Yellow Cards: Tah J. 44; Kimmich 66; Kane 84; Musiala 87; Laimer 92