Kane scores twice to push Bayern Munich past Flamengo and into Club World Cup quarters

Bayern Munich expected it to feel like another road game in Miami.

Much like its recent game against Boca Juniors at Hard Rock Stadium, supporters of Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo made up the very loud majority of the 60,914 spectators who attended Sunday's FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 matchup.

But often the great difference maker in soccer is a world-class striker.

And on this day, Bayern Munich had one in English superstar Harry Kane, who scored two goals at key moments to help the German stalwarts advance to the Club World Cup quarterfinals following a 4-2 victory.

"Knockout football is all about moments and I felt we took our moments really well and at the right times," Kane said.

Bayern Munich, the reigning Bundesliga champions, bounced back from what many considered a subpar finish to the group stage after a 1-0 loss to Benfica sent the German club into the round of 16 as a group runner-up.

After a clutch performance Sunday, Munich moved within three victories of the tournament title and secured a date with UEFA Champions League winners, Paris St.-Germain in the quarterfinals on Saturday at noon in Atlanta.

"They're European champions and we played them once this year and we came out on top, but it was a difficult game," Kane said. "We know the qualities they have and we're going to have to be ready for that. We feel like when we're at the top of our game we can defeat anyone and we're going to go into this game with no different feeling. We respect them, but ultimately we're here to win the Club World Cup and we look forward to that challenge."

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka (8) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Flamengo in the first half of their round of 16 FIFA Club World Cup soccer match at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

With the Flamengo fans, mostly clad in their red shirts and jerseys with black stripes, cheering and singing to open the game, Bayern Munich quickly hushed them with two goals in the first nine minutes of the match to seize control.

Flamengo delivered a memorable performance in its 3-1 win over Chelsea during group play, which clinched its advancement to the Round of 16.

To its credit, it did not allow the rough start to squash their spirits.

Twice, Flamengo cut the deficit to one goal.

But Bayern Munich twice was resilient and provided responses of its own to ensure victory.

Kane's second goal and Munich's fourth of the game in the 73rd minute effectively sealed the outcome.

Konrad Laimer stole a ball in the attacking third and dropped it off to Joshua Kimmich, who then sent the ball into the box to Kane, who struck quickly with his right foot and past Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi.

"We faced a colossus, a really great team, and they were superior today," Flamengo coach Filipe Luis said.

Flamengo midfielder Gerson (8) celebrates after scoring a goal against Bayern Munich in the first half of their round of 16 FIFA Club World Cup soccer match at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Bayern Munich's first goal came on a mistake by Flamengo's defense when Erick Pulgar accidentally headed a corner kick by Joshua Kimmich into his own goal in the sixth minute.

Three minutes later, Kane struck from just outside the top of the box with a great shot that hit the near post and ricocheted past Rossi.

But Luis' squad showed its own resilience.

Flamengo midfielder Gerson collected a ball that was crossed into the box from the sideline and bounced off Giorgian De Arrascaeta's foot. He then delivered a powerful rising shot, which sailed over the reach of Munich keeper Manuel Neuer to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 33rd minute.

Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka intercepted a clearance attempt from about 10 yards in front of the box and caught Flamengo's defense off balance, firing a perfect shot from distance into the open side of the goal to stretch the lead to 3-1 in the 41st minute.

In what was often a physical match, tempers flared on a hard foul on Kane and Pulgar was given a yellow card. Pulgar would exit the game with an injury in the 45th minute.

Flamengo had new life after a handball by Michael Olise inside the box resulted in a Flamengo penalty kick in the 53rd minute.

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka (8) celebrates with Bayern Munich defenders Dayot Upamecano (2) and Josip Stanisic (44) after scoring a goal against Flamengo in the first half of their round of 16 FIFA Club World Cup soccer match at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Jorginho converted the PK to cut Bayern's lead to 3-2.

But Kane's precision after a costly Flamengo giveaway would deny Flamengo the chance to survive and advance.

"It was a tough game for sure. Every ball was contested, every ball was challenged and you have to be ready to fight in different ways to help the team win," Kane said. "They had some really dangerous players and some fast players…Leon's goal before the half and mine to make it 4-2 really eased the last 10 minutes for us."