Bayern beats Real Madrid to seize Champions League initiative

Wednesday April 8, 2026

Kylian Mbappe (bottom) scored in the second half to give Real Madrid a lifeline in the Champions League battle with Bayern Munich © Thomas COEX / AFP

Bayern Munich left the Santiago Bernabeu with a precious 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday, a result that moves the German giants a big step closer to the Champions League semifinals.

Luis Diaz and Harry Kane struck for Bayern, while Kylian Mbappe answered for Madrid in a match that produced chances at both ends — though Bayern, the record champions of Germany, will likely rue the opportunities they let slip to make the tie far more comfortable.

Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa chose to start young midfielder Thiago Pitarch, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras deployed at fullback. Bayern, for their part, were encouraged by Kane’s fitness, which allowed him to make the starting lineup.

Kane almost had an instant say in the contest, nodding a free kick into the path of Dayot Upamecano, who failed to convert from close range with the goal begging.

Bayern set the tone early, but Manuel Neuer was called on for two sharp saves after 16 minutes — first keeping out Mbappe after a precise Arda Guler pass, then denying Vinicius Junior on the counterattack.

The visitors tried to control the ball and blunt Madrid’s threat in transition, yet they still left openings behind them. Andriy Lunin saved from Serge Gnabry after Pitarch gave the ball away, while Neuer again stood firm to block Mbappe from a tight angle.

Diaz broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, finishing neatly after a slick move involving Kane and Gnabry.

Bayern struck again just 30 seconds after the restart, with Kane bending in a superb effort from outside the box after Michael Olise had done the hard work.

Olise, Josip Stanisic and Upamecano all threatened soon after as Bayern looked capable of taking complete command of the tie.

Arbeloa turned to Eder Militao and Jude Bellingham in the 72nd minute, and Bellingham quickly made an impact by teeing up Mbappe for another chance that drew yet another excellent stop from Neuer.

Mbappe did reduce the deficit two minutes later, arriving at the far post to finish after Alexander-Arnold found space to deliver.

The contest opened up from there, with Kane close to a third and Diaz nearly carving through Madrid’s back line, while Vinicius forced another save from Neuer.

Even with late pressure from Madrid, Bayern continued to generate the clearest openings. Jamal Musiala wasted a glaring chance in the closing stages, and Stanisic and Olise also failed to convert in stoppage time as Bayern settled for a valuable advantage to carry into the second leg.