Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane (L) and Wolfsburg’s German midfielder #20 Ridle Baku vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Wolfsburg, northern Germany, on August 25, 2024. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

Harry Kane played a pivotal role in leading Bayern Munich to a thrilling 3-2 victory against Wolfsburg on Sunday, marking the Bundesliga debut of new manager Vincent Kompany.

Jamal Musiala opened the scoring for Bayern in the 19th minute, but Wolfsburg quickly turned the tables with two goals from Lovro Majer within the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Bayern appeared unsettled, as Ralph Hasenhuettl’s team capitalized on multiple defensive mistakes.

However, a header from Kane resulted in an own goal by Wolfsburg’s Jakub Kaminski in the 65th minute, and Kane later assisted Serge Gnabry for Bayern’s third goal in the 82nd minute.

 

“It’s not perfect yet”, Kane told Bayern TV after the match, saying his side “got punished a little” in the second-half.

“We’re still obviously implementing some of the ideas of the coach.

“Obviously, the team is a lot stronger than this. I’m happy we’ve got a good week to work now, to get to work on the ideas the coach wants.”

Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich echoed Kane’s sentiments on network DAZN, saying “we lost control of the game due to many mistakes”, adding they “reacted well” when they fell 2-1 behind.

After 20 minutes of play, Kane, making his first appearance since the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, located Sacha Boey on the right side.

The French defender skillfully maneuvered around two Wolfsburg players and delivered a precise pass to Musiala, who easily finished to score the opening goal.

Musiala has now netted six goals in eight encounters against Wolfsburg, surpassing his tally against any other team.

Wolfsburg narrowly escaped a potential penalty for what seemed to be a handball in the box ten minutes later, resulting in Kane receiving a yellow card for his protests to the referee. After a quiet first half, Wolfsburg came alive early in the second half, taking the lead within the first ten minutes.

Boey, making only his second start for Bayern since his January transfer, quickly turned from hero to villain by fouling Tiago Tomas in the box just a minute after the restart. Majer calmly converted the penalty, sending Manuel Neuer the wrong way.

Just a minute later, the Croatian midfielder struck the post with Neuer caught off guard, but he soon found the net again in the 55th minute, putting Wolfsburg ahead.

Patrick Wimmer capitalized on a mistake by Kim Min-jae, seized the ball, and advanced towards goal, drawing Neuer out before assisting Majer for the score.

Kane played a pivotal role in leveling the match for Bayern in the 65th minute, heading a deflected cross from Joshua Kimmich that ricocheted off Wolfsburg’s Kaminski into the net.

With eight minutes left, Kane set up Bayern’s winning goal, finding Gnabry, who finished from close range. Since their Bundesliga triumph in 2009, Wolfsburg has not defeated Bayern since 2015, marking a streak of 21 matches.

Later on Sunday, St Pauli, newly promoted, will face Heidenheim in the final match of the round.