Bayern whip Celtic as Feyenoord beat AC Milan in Champions League play-offs

Harry Kane was on target as Bayern Munich beat Celtic 2-1 in Glasgow in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday, while there were also wins for Benfica, Feyenoord, and Club Brugge.

Bayern are hoping to go all the way to this season’s final, which will be played at their own Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31.

They threatened to run riot against the Scottish champions at Celtic Park as they dominated the first half and took the lead just before the interval thanks to a superb Michael Olise strike.

Bayern’s second goal came just four minutes after half-time, with the unmarked Kane scoring with a cushioned finish at the back post following a corner.

It was Kane’s seventh goal in this season’s Champions League, and his 29th in 29 games in all competitions.

However, the Bundesliga leaders took their foot off the pedal after that, allowing Celtic – who had a first-minute Nicolas Kuehn goal disallowed for offside – to come back into the game.

Brendan Rodgers’ team pulled one back as Daizen Maeda scored following a corner with 11 minutes left, but they could not find an equaliser.

Champions League: Real Madrid stun Man City as PSG thrash Brest

Celtic’s first home defeat since December 2023 leaves them facing a huge task to try to turn the tie around in Germany next Tuesday, with the winners going through to face either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid in the last 16.

Elsewhere, Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal as Benfica won 1-0 away to Monaco, as the home side were forced to play much of the second half with 10 men.

Monaco had Libyan midfielder Moatasem Al-Musrati sent off in the 52nd minute, when the recent signing from Besiktas gestured to the referee calling for a yellow card after his teammate Breel Embolo had been fouled, only to be handed a second caution himself.

Benfica will hope to finish off the tie in next week’s return, with the winners facing either Liverpool or Barcelona in the last 16.

In Rotterdam, Feyenoord shook off the sacking of coach Brian Priske on Monday to beat seven-time European champions AC Milan 1-0 and gain the upper hand to take to San Siro for the return.

Club Brugge also defeated last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta 2-1 in Belgium, thanks to a controversial stoppage-time penalty.

Whoever wins that tie will face Aston Villa or Lille next.

The Star