Bayern Munich dismantle Club World Champions Chelsea
Bayern Munich extended their remarkable record in the UEFA Champions League group stages with a commanding 3–1 victory over Chelsea, handing the reigning FIFA Club World Cup holders a harsh reality check in Munich. For Harry Kane and Co., it was business as usual. For Enzo Maresca, it was a tactical collapse.
If this match were a judo bout, Chelsea barely had time to grab Bayern’s collar before being thrown to the mat. And while the final scoreline flatters Chelsea more than it should, it reflects the Bavarians' total control after a cagey start.
Initially, the visitors looked sharp — cutting passing lanes, pressing with energy, and launching long balls behind Bayern's backline. But it all unraveled in the 20th minute when Trevoh Chalobah diverted a low cross from Michael Olise into his own net. It was Bayern’s first truly dangerous attack — and it broke the game wide open.
Seven minutes later, Harry Kane showed his class, winning a penalty with his trademark movement and physicality. Shielding the ball from Moises Caicedo, the England captain drew contact and hit the turf inside the box. No hesitation from the referee — penalty. Kane stepped up and buried it. Robert Sánchez had no chance. 2–0, and Chelsea looked lost.
Just when it seemed like Bayern were cruising toward a rout, Cole Palmer dragged Chelsea back into the match with a stunning solo run. Starting deep in his own half, he darted forward, played a slick one-two with Pedro, and smashed it past Manuel Neuer — a sensational goal that gave the visitors hope.
But that glimmer faded quickly after the break. The second half was all Bayern — wave after wave of pressure, smart transitions, and sheer superiority in every department. Chelsea tried to play more openly, but that only played into Bayern’s hands.
The third goal came from another counter. After a poor turnover from Malo Gusto, Kane pounced, raced into the box, and fired home to make it 3–1. Sánchez, who had just made two world-class saves to deny Kane and Olise, was furious — and rightly so.
Chelsea looked stunned. Despite chasing the game, they managed just three shots in the entire second half. Bayern, meanwhile, shifted gears effortlessly, controlling possession and suffocating any hint of a comeback.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League
Bayern - Chelsea 3:1 (2:1)
Goals: Chalobah, 20 (own goal) (1:0); Kane, 27 (penalty) (2:0); Palmer Co., 29 (2:1); Kane, 63 (3:1)
Bayern: Neuer; Upamecano; Tah J. (Kim Min-jae, 46); Stanisic (Boey, 51); Kimmich; Gnabry (Bischof T., 91); Olise; Laimer; Pavlovic Al. (Goretzka, 63); Luis Díaz; Kane (Jackson N., 91)
Substitution: Kim Min-jae (from 46); Boey (from 51); Goretzka (from 63); Bischof T. (from 91); Jackson N. (from 91)
Bench: Ulreich; Urbig; Kiala; Karl
Yellow Cards: Tah J. 29; Laimer 85
Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Gusto; Adarabioyo; Chalobah; James R. (Andrey Santos, 68); Cucurella; Fernandez E. (Estêvão, 81); Palmer Co.; Caicedo M.; Pedro Neto (Garnacho, 68); João Pedro
Substitution: Andrey Santos (from 68); Garnacho (from 68); Estêvão (from 81)
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Curd; Acheampong J. K.; Fofana W.; Hato; Bynoe-Gittens; George; Buonanotte; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: Andrey Santos 96
