Kane scores, sets up goal and takes goal-kick as Bayern draw 2-2 with Arsenal in Champions League
Harry Kane produced a goal, an assist and an unexpected goal-kick as Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 draw by Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday. His contributions included an 80-yard pass from a goal-kick, a pass that set up Alphonso Davies' finish and a second-half penalty strike.
Kane's performance reinforced his standing on this year's Ballon d'Or shortlist; the 33-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur captain was named on the 30-man list in September and could become the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Paris St-Germain forward and current holder Ousmane Dembele were mentioned among the favourites in coverage of the award.
There were fewer than 25 minutes on the clock when Bayern, defending a goal-kick, were sent surging upfield by Kane's raking 80-yard pass. "Under Vincent Kompany, he has been given a level of trust that he has probably never had before under any other manager," Nedum Onuoha told BBC Sport. "For all the things we've seen him do and the positions we've seen him roam into, nobody has seen him take a goal-kick before."
After Eberechi Eze had put Arsenal ahead, Kane restored parity by bending a pass around Jurrien Timber for Alphonso Davies to finish, then sent Bayern ahead from the penalty spot midway through the second half to take his career tally of goals against Arsenal to 16. Declan Rice struck late to secure a share of the points for the visitors.
Kane registered 40 touches in the match and his goal against Arsenal took his total to 156 in 158 appearances since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham in 2023. By scoring on Wednesday, he became only the second player in Champions League history to find the net in 10 consecutive matches; Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other player to achieve a longer run, scoring in 11 successive matches for Real Madrid between June 2017 and April 2018.
"He is the clear winner. His numbers speak for themselves. The year he has had has been remarkable," Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice told TNT Sports. Onuoha added: "Kane certainly looks at home at Bayern. He understands the team and its system, and they all understand him. They know that when he gets the ball at his feet, wherever that may be, something good can happen." "Having freedom is probably the best way to describe what he has got playing for Bayern, because he will work hard defensively, which allows him the freedom to be creative when he is in attack. For now, he certainly is thriving."
The Ballon d'Or winner is due to be announced on Monday following a vote by an international jury of 100 journalists, with the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London looming. "It would be amazing to win," Kane said afterwards. "The voting closed a long time ago so there's nothing I can do, just wait and see what happens."
