Bayern beat Man Utd in a 7-goal match

Germany Man Utd chased the score but still lost 3-4 to Bayern in the first round of Group A Champions League.

The two teams enjoyed a feast of goals and chased the score at the Allianz Arena, with the gap never exceeding two goals. The home team's victory was predicted, but Man Utd refused to surrender early. However, Casemiro's goal to reduce the score to 3-4 came too late, right before referee Glenn Nyberg's final whistle.

Andre Onana's missed catch led to Man Utd's first goal. Photo: AP

Man Utd started the game well, creating dangerous chances first, but Facundo Pellistri and Christian Eriksen missed close-range tap-ins, while coach Erik ten Hag was left celebrating on the touchline. The visitors took the initiative to play short balls thanks to Onana's footwork. But this time he made a mistake that led to a goal, when Leroy Sane's shot from the edge of the penalty area went not too close to the post, but the 27-year-old goalkeeper failed to catch the ball.

The goal from the first chance helped Bayern play more excitedly, while assistant coach Zsolt Low and Anthony Barry shared the joy on Thomas Tuchel's day when he was absent due to suspension. The home team scored from the second chance, this time midfielder Jamal Musiala turned the ball to eliminate Diogo Dalot on the left side of the penalty area, before passing to Serge Gnabry who shot into the far corner, giving Onana no chance to block. Outside the pitch, Ten Hag shook his head and wiped his face when he saw the net vibrate.

Unlike the previous defeat to Brighton, Man Utd fought back more strongly this time. Early in the second half, new signing Rasmus Hojlund scored the first goal for the "Red Devils" with a shot that bounced off the ground and changed direction, leaving goalkeeper Sven Ulreich unable to react. Ulreich could have done better, but his mistake was not as serious as Onana's in the first goal.

Harry Kane's penalty kick was scored despite Onana guessing the right direction.

After scoring, Hojlund clapped his teammates vigorously. However, Man Utd were doused with cold water just a minute later when center back Dayot Upamecano headed the ball into Eriksen's hand in the penalty area. Thanks to VAR's advice, the referee awarded a penalty to the home team and center forward Harry Kane did not miss the opportunity to shoot hard and low to the left corner to increase the score to 3-1.

As Kane prepared to shoot, the stands erupted with shouts of "Harry, Harry" to cheer on their expensive new signing. The English striker had been linked with Man Utd, but then chose to join Bayern last summer. He did not disappoint the home crowd with his fifth goal in his first six games.

Bayern continued to dominate but squandered chances, including Sane's shot that bounced off the post. They allowed Man Utd to break through again when Casemiro was quick to fire into the net despite being on the ground after a fumble in the 88th minute. But Bayern restored their two-goal lead within four minutes. This time Joshua Kimmich crossed into the box for Mathys Tel to fire into the near corner and into the roof of the net.

Apart from the first goal, the Cameroonian goalkeeper played well and made at least two good saves for the visitors. But Tel had too much time and space before shooting. This goal secured the victory for the home team with only two minutes left in the match.

Man Utd scored twice in three minutes of stoppage time to beat Bayern 2-1 in the 1999 Champions League final. This time they did not give up, and Casemiro completed his double with a close-range header from Bruno Fernandes' cross. However, the referee blew the final whistle shortly after Bayern kicked off.

Bayern played better, while Man Utd still have many chances to pass the Champions League group stage. The "Red Devils" will welcome back center-back Raphael Varane, new signing Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount for the next match against Burnley in the Premier League on the evening of September 23.

Xuan Binh

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