Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala celebrates his headed winner against Benfica. - © IMAGO/Eduard Martin
Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala celebrates his headed winner against Benfica. - © IMAGO/Eduard Martin
Jamal Musiala heads Bayern Munich past Benfica in UEFA Champions League
Jamal Musiala scored the only goal as Bayern Munich returned to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League with a slender but deserved victory over Portugal's Benfica at the Allianz Arena.
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Bayern Munich 1-0 Benfica
Goals: 1-0 Musiala 67' (assist: Kane)
Bayern have been almost note-perfect in the Bundesliga, but successive European losses to Aston Villa and Barcelona had left them with work to do in the Champions League. A point to prove, they did nearly all of the running in the first half, with Serge Gnabry and Musiala a constant threat to the opposition defence. Top scorer Harry Kane's first meaningful attempt was a tame shot straight at Anatoliy Trubin, who had to work significantly harder to stop Gnabry breaking the deadlock with a fierce half volley. The Ukrainian also had to be alert to a deflected Musiala strike as Bayern went in at the break on top but tamed, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer a virtual spectactor.
Vincent Kompany resisted the urge to tinker at the break, unlike counterpart Bruno Lage who introduced Germany midfielder Jan-Niklas Beste and former Bochum striker Vangelis Pavlidis. The Bayern head coach watched on as Kane found the side netting, before sending on Leroy Sané with almost an hour gone and no reward for some 16 attempts on the Benfica goal. That changed in the 67th minute, when Kane flicked on Sané's cross for Musiala to head in the deserved breakthough from close range. Substitute Kingsley Coman and Musiala threatened from distance as Bayern saw out a crucial Champions League win - their second in four matches in the new-format competition.
Match stats
- Bayern have now won 11 of 15 competitive games under Kompany, only losing to Villa and Barcelona.
- Musiala scored his eighth competitive goal of the season, already putting him over halfway to matching his career-best haul of 2022/23 (15).
- Kane's 18 goal contributions in the Champions League since the start of 2023/24 are the most of any player.
- Bayern are unbeaten in 13 UEFA competition matches against Benfica (W10, D3). It’s the most one side has faced another without losing across all major European tournaments.
- Renato Sanches made 53 appearances for Bayern after signing from Benfica in 2016, winning two Bundesliga titles.
- Beste finished joint-second in the Bundesliga for assists last season with 11 for promoted Heidenheim, also scoring eight goals as they qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Teams
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Davies – Kimmich, Palhinha – Olise (Sané 56'), Musiala (Müller 90'+2), Gnabry (Coman 72') – Kane
Unused subs: Peretz, Schmitt, Goretzka, Dier, Ibrahimović, Guerreiro, Tel
Out: Boey (knee), Ito (foot), Pavlović (collarbone), Stanišić (knee)
Coach: Vincent Kompany
Benfica: Trubin – Araujo, Silva, Otamendi (c) - Kaboré (Beste 46'), Sanches (Rollheiser 86'), Aursnes, Fernández - Köckü (Cabral 79') – Amdouni (Pavlidis 46'), Aktürkoğlu (Di María 56')
Unused subs: Gomes, Soares, Bajrami, Santos, Luis, Schjelderup
Out: -
Coach: Bruno Lage
As it happened!
1 - 0
(0 - 0)
Bayern
FINAL
Benfica
Champions League
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 Allianz Arena
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 Allianz Arena
Full-time: Bayern Munich 1-0 Benfica
© Alexander Hassenstein
Full-time
90'
+ 2
Goalscorer departs
Musiala's goal is the difference at the moment, and he is replaced by veteran Müller for the final knockings of this game.
90'
+ 2
Substitution
90'
+ 1
Stoppage time
A minimum of four added minutes will be played.
89'
Bayern in control
Benfica cannot equalise without the ball, and Bayern aren't prepared to give them it as they work it round the pitch cleverly, managing the rest of the game.
86'
Substitution
83'
Kimmich shoots over
The Germany captain drills it towards goal with a right-footed shot from the edge of the box, but the effort sails over the bar and doesn't cause Trubin any trouble.
81'
Ten to go
Bayern need to see this one out to register their second win in the competition, and are trying to do so by continuing the long spells of possession they enjoyed in the first 80 minutes. Will they push for a second or try and protect the lead they've got?
79'
Substitution
76'
Musiala drags wide
Coman feeds the young Bayern star who tries to squeeze it in from a tight angle, but his left-footed effort across goal rolls across the face before going out for a goal-kick.
75'
Almost another Coman curler
Coman found himself in a similar position to where he scored excellently against Bochum in the league, but this time his curled effort is too central and is easily saved by Trubin.
73'
Yellow card
72'
On comes Coman
The man who scored the winner for Bayern in the 2020 Champions League final drives down the left wing and puts a teasing ball across the box which doesn't find a teamate.
72'
Substitution
71'
Kökçü booked
The Benfica player is carded for stopping Bayern from taking a quick free-kick.
71'
Yellow card
67'
Musiala breaks the deadlock!
Sane crosses in from the right and picks out Kane at the back post, who nods it back across for Musiala to head in and finally give Bayern the lead!
64'
Sané from distance
The winger cuts in on his left foot before firing at goal from 25 yards out, and Trubin has to get something on it to tip it over the bar.
61'
Still no goals at the hour mark
Bayern have had a total of 16 attempts in the first 60 minutes of this game, but the scoreline remains the same as it did at kick-off. They still have time to find the breakthrough, but the clock is ticking.
59'
Testing the 'keeper already
A curling left-footed effort from the right side of the box from Sané forces a good save out of Trubin. It has been a bright start for Bayern's number ten.
57'
Sané involved straightaway
The ball comes to the Bayern sub on the right flank, and he whips in a cross which strikes the arm of a Benfica defender. Referee Massa waves away any penalty shouts.
56'
Substitution
56'
Substitution
54'
Side netting!
Kane weaves through the Benfica defence on the left-hand side of the penalty box before drilling a shot towards goal, but he can only find the side netting.
52'
Olisé gets away with it
The Frenchman loses the ball to Sanches just outside the penalty box, but as Benfica start to work it around Bayern's final third, Musiala picks up the ball from a clearance and draws a foul to kill the attack.
49'
Too tame from Olisé
Olisé tries to bend it over the wall from the resulting free-kick, but the shot lacks pace and is an easy catch for the busy Trubin.
48'
Free-kick... just...
Araujo fouls Kane right on the edge of the box and the referee decides to award a free-kick rather than a penalty, but VAR is having a look...
46'
Double change at the break
Bruno Lage makes two changes at the start of the second half, bringing on former Heidenheim winger Jan-Niklas Beste and Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who had spells at Bochum and Borussia Dortmund's reserves.
46'
Substitution
46'
Substitution
Kick-off!
Half-time: Bayern Munich 0-0 Benfica
© IMAGO/Davide Elias
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Added time
There will be one additional minute here in Munich.
45'
Musiala bends one
The midfielder's curled effort from outside the box takes a deflection which takes the sting out of the attempt, and Trubin comfortably catches the shot.
43'
Neuer with a touch in Benfica's half
The sweeper 'keeper comes way out of the box, even his own half, to control the ball, but it gets away from him, and if it wasn't for Davies drawing a foul in the aftermath, it could have become a tricky scenario for the hosts.
40'
Swap wings
Bayern started the game with Gnabry on the left and Olisé on the right, but the pair have briefly switched sides in an attempt to change things up in search of an opening goal
38'
Great stop denies the opener
Following a bit of pinball in the box, it falls to Gnabry on the half volley, and the fierce left-footed attempt forces a strong save out of Trubin, who rises to the challenge.
37'
Benfica yet to set sight on goal
The visitors have struggled to get a foot on the ball and work it into a position for a shot, meaning they are yet to test Manuel Neuer in the Bayern net at all this evening.
33'
Trubin comes out on top
Bayern work it up the pitch nicely, resulting in Musiala slipping in Kane, but the striker unleashes a tame left-footed effort from the centre of the box which is collected by the SLB 'keeper.
32'
Easy pickings
A long-distance shot from Kane goes straight down the throat of Trubin.
29'
Laimer in the thick of the action
The Austrian first wins a corner by getting in behind the Benfica defence then having his cross cleared out the pitch, but commits a foul from the resulting set-piece as the Portuguese side look to clear, ending the Bayern attack.
28'
No through road
Musiala's tricky dribbling is lighting up this match, which has been rather short of chances, but the compact Benfica back line means there is no way through for a shot on goal for Musiala nor for his teammates.
26'
First caution of the night
A nasty challenge on Davies sees wing-back Kaboré go into the book.
26'
Yellow card
22'
All Bayern so far
As we approach the halfway point of the first 45, it is Bayern who have enjoyed the vast majority of possession, but a resolute and deep-sitting Benfica defence has not allowed the hosts any clear-cut chances.
20'
Denied at the last
Davies cuts in off the left wing and slides one through to Musiala, but as he enters the penalty box, Araujo of Benfica intervenes and puts it out for a corner.
17'
Neuer cool as ever
The 'keeper withholds the pressure put on him by the opposition on two occasions, picking out cute passes first to Davies and then to Laimer. Trademark stuff from Neuer.
14'
Not a man to leave free in the box
England captain Kane is left unmarked at the back post and nods the ball back across the face, but no one is there in a Bayern shirt to tap it in. Questions will be asked of the Benfica defence as to why the number nine was left on his own.
13'
Trubin punches clear
An inswinging corner whipped in by Kimmich is tipped over the bar by the Benfica 'keeper, meaning it'll be a third corner for Bayern.
12'
First corner
Akturkoglu, stood just in front of Kimmich, is judged to have handled the ball in an attempt to block the cross, resulting in a free-kick for Bayern.
11'
Musiala and Olise looking to link up
Despite the pair slightly overcomplicating things on this occasion whilst trying to combine down the left flank, the intent is there and Benfica will need to be wary of the attacking threat posed by these young stars.
7'
Getting their press on
Benfica are not being afforded any time on the ball when they win back possession, with Bayern getting up in their faces to quickly regain the ball every time they lose it.
4'
First cross in from Gnabry
The winger charges down the left flank and sends a searching ball into the area, but this is collected comfortably by Trubin.
3'
Bayern on the ball straightaway
The hosts have got straight down to the business and are zipping the ball around quite quickly, looking to shift it wide early on.
1'
Away we go!
Bayern, cladded in all white, kick things off here at the Allianz Arena!
Kick-off!
A minute's silence
The players take to the edge of the centre circle for a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the floods in Valencia.
Out come the players
Referee Davide Massa leads the two sides out onto the pitch, and it's now time for the Champions League anthem before this evening's match can get going!
Three years since the teams last met
Bayern claimed a 5-2 victory against Benfica three years ago this week, also in the Champions League group stage. Will Vincent Kompany's side pick up another win against the former European champions and get their European campaign back on track?
Warm-ups underway
© Adam Pretty
Delayed kick-off
The game is now scheduled to start at 21:15 CET due to a signal box malfunction on the Munich metro system.
Added extra for Palhinha
Formerly of Sporting Lisbon, Benfica's local rivals, midfielder João Palhinha will be looking to get one over the Lisbon-based side in Bayern colours tonight.
Bayern still unbeaten at home
© IMAGO
More on those teams
© DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann
Bayern Munich starting XI
Neuer (c) - Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Davies – Kimmich, Palhinha – Olise, Musiala, Gnabry – Kane
Bayern Munich subs
Peretz, Schmitt, Goretzka, Sané, Coman, Dier, Ibrahimović, Guerreiro, Müller, Tel
Benfica starting XI
Trubin – Araujo, Silva, Otamendi (c) - Kaboré, Sanches, Aursnes, Fernández - Köckü – Amdouni, Akturkoglu
Benfica subs
Gomes, Soares, Bajrami, Santos, Rollheiser, Luis, Schjelderup, Di Maria, Cabral, Beste, Pavlidis
Ex-Bundesliga at Benfica
© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel
Leading from the front
© IMAGO/Oryk HAIST
In need of a win
There's still a long way to go in this newly-elongated Champions League campaign, but Bayern could do with a win tonight after successive European defeats. They flew out the traps with a 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Matchday 1, but losses to Aston Villa and Barcelona have halted their progress. All three points tonight would reset the course.
Palhinha on Benfica
"Benfica's results speak for themselves. Bruno Lage is a coach who knows the structure of the club very well. They turned in a very strong performance against Atlético Madrid. They have individually very strong players. It's certainly going to be a very good match."
More on Benfica
© Gualter Fatia
Kompany on Bayern's mindset
"What we've done so far has resulted in us scoring 50 goals and winning a lot of games. We have a lot of confidence in our play. We'll always adjust things a bit tactically. We just want to win at home."
Kompany on Benfica
© TOBIAS SCHWARZ
João Palhinha calls Benfica clash "a final"
© Alexander Hassenstein
Who misses out?
Bayern's injury list is not extensive, but they are still missing important players. Hiroki Ito (broken foot) and Josip Stanišić (knee) are long-term absentees, while Sacha Boey (knee) and Aleksandar Pavlović (collarbone) are also still sidelined.
0:57
Harry Kane: What does he do so well?
History on their side
In the six previous meetings between these two sides, Bayern are unbeaten. In the Champions League, Bayern have won five and drawn one, while their total record against Benfica follows the same trend: Played 12, won nine, drawn three.
Giant killers?
Benfica have lost just one of their opening three European games, their previous game against Feyenoord. They won the two games before that against Red Star Belgrade and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, whom they swept aside with an eye-catching 4-0 win.
Turn the tide
Bayern have lost two Champions League games on the bounce, so will need to bet at their best if they're to avoid a third consecutive loss against Benfica.
1:05
Watch: Bayern 3-0 Union Berlin highlights
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Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Bayern Munich's fourth UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase at home to Benfica on Wednesday.
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