Champions League

THERE was only one player who was ever going to dig Bayern Munich out of another mess.Harry Kane maintained his hopes – however slim – of appearing in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1.Harry Kane inspired Bayern Munich to Champions League victoryCredit: GettyThe striker picked up the Man of the Match awardCredit: GettyThe England captain striker plundered goals number 32 and 33 of the campaign to steer Bayern into the quarter-finals but on this showing, they will still do well to reach the last four.Kane, now averaging a goal a game in Germany, is world class, unlike the majority of his team-mates. He struck in either half with his goals sandwiching a header from Thomas Muller.For Kane, it was his first Champions League knock-out goal since Dortmund away, five years to the very day.Tottenham found their way to the final against all the odds in 2019 and looking at this current Bayern team, it would be even more of a surprise if they end up going all the way.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet with Bayern trailing Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga by 10 points and having been dumped out of the German Cup in November, at least Kane still has something to hold onto.Unsurprisingly, he was all smiles at the Allianz Arena when the majority of the 75,000 joined in the PA announcer by repeatedly shouting ‘Harry’ after both of his predatory strikes.Also joining in the celebrations was Eric Dier, who spent the first half of the season being frozen out of the Tottenham team by Ange Postecoglou, but is now impressing in his unlikely spell with Bayern.In his eighth appearance for the club, Dier played well, albeit against Maurizio Sarri’s limited Lazio side but it was no surprise who eased the nerves for Bayern.Most read in Champions LeagueKane played a key role in the 3-0 winBayern dominated the matchBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe tie actually turned in the space of two minutes because had Italian striker Ciro Immobile finished an easy close range header, Bayern would probably have bottled it, like they have done for much of this season.Soon after, Kane anticipated a mishit shot by Raphael Guerreiro, stuck out his head and steered the ball past Ivan Provedel, who should have done better.Top 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveMuller played a part in the build-up to the first goal and then headed the second in first-half injury-time. Although Lazio were hoping for the linesman’s flag, Muller was being played onside by former West Ham midfielder Felipe Anderson.And from that moment, the pressure lifted from Tuchel’s under-fire team who, despite Dier earning decent reviews in central defence, are still a bit ropey at the back.Thankfully for Bayern, Lazio are very average and when keeper Provedel spilled Leroy Sane’s shot in the 66th minute, Kane was never going to miss the rebound.Kane has now scored more goals than last season in 16 fewer games and he looks certain to beat his best ever tally of 41 goals in 2017-18.So it would even be more heartbreaking for Kane if he still ends up winning nothing. More

KYLIAN MBAPPE broke the net with his hammer hit that put PSG a goal to the good in their Champions League tie.The Frenchman opened the scoring against Real Sociedad with a powerful effort to beat Alex Remiro in between the sticks.𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐊𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄 ⚡️The forward makes it 4⃣5⃣ goals and 2⃣6⃣ assists in just 68 #UCL games! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6KwgLpU9Mb— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2024

Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring for PSG in the Last 16 tie with Real SociededCredit: GettyThe Frenchman let fly with a powerful effort that slammed into the back of the netCredit: ReutersThe goal carried such venom that it pulled the net away from the postCredit: TNT SPORTSMbappe received the ball in the 15th minute from Ousmane Dembele and after using his electric pace to keep it in play he then shifted into the box and onto his favoured right foot.The 25-year-old moved the ball to the side of Arsenal transfer target Martin Zubimendi before unleashing a venomous strike that nestled in the back of the net.The shot carried so much power that it actually pulled the netting away from the upright and caused a THREE MINUTE DELAY to proceedings in San Sebastian.Members of staff in the Reale Arena had to fix the goal before play could continue.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMbappe later doubled his side’s lead with a second goal for himself in the 56th minute to secure a 2-1 victory and a 4-1 aggregate win for the Parisians.PSG made light work of Sociedad and will now amble on through to the Champions League quarter-finals.Mbappe’s brace saw him extend his superb record in Europe’s most prestigious competition to 46 goals and 26 assists in just 68 Champions League appearances.It’s no wonder that the best teams in the world are sniffing around the World Cup winner who is set to wave goodbye to PSG at the end of the season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpanish giants Real Madrid look the most likely to secure the services of the superstar, but Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with a shock move for Mbappe.Gunners boss Mikel Arteta explained last month how he believes his side need to be “in the conversation” for players of Mbappe’s calibre.’We have to be in the conversation’, says Mikel Arteta as Arsenal boss has his say on Kylian Mbappe transfer sagaHe said: “If we want to be the best team, we are going to need the best talent and the best players, that’s for sure.“I am not [part of those conversations]. Maybe Edu and the owners are, but I am not in those conversations until the last stage.Asked directly if he would be interested in Mbappe even though it seems he is heading to the Spanish capital, Arteta said: “When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation.“But as you said, it looks in a different way. That is what I will say.” More

GOLF clubs and ice picks were among the weapons confiscated by police ahead of Real Sociedad’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.The second leg of the last-16 clash gets underway at the Reale Arena in San Sebastien at 8:00pm.Police seized multiple weapons of different varietyCredit: ErtzaintzaBut, ahead of kick-off, Spanish authorities have been busy identifying potential trouble makers.Reports claim 50 Sociedad fans and 100 PSG fans have been stopped and searched by police.An array of weapons have been found, including 15 golf clubs, three ice pick axes, two pairs of knuckle dusters, knives and even a crutch.Fans were also caught with mouth guards, screwdrivers, hammers and flares, as well as hoods to hide supporters’ identities.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPSG fans have a history of violence in the Champions League and in this season alone have clashed with Newcastle and AC Milan supporters.An away following of around 2000 fans is expected to support the French champions, though one coach was turned away after prohibited items were found on board.PSG ultras have been known to cause trouble on their European jaunts with one caught punching a member of the public before their match against Newcastle in October.There were also reports of clashes outside the ground with missiles thrown including bottles and cones.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBrawls also erupted in Paris on the Magpies’ visit a few weeks later, with some PSG hooligans storming a restaurant where Newcastle fans were dining out.Toon fans were also involved in clashes with Borussia Dortmund followers ahead of their Champions League match this season.Shocking moment Red Star hooligans storm Man City bar and beat supporters with sticks ahead of Champions League clash More