Bayern Munich finally ended their nine-match winless run against Real Madrid, claiming a 2–1 victory in the first leg of this blockbuster quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The opening half from Real Madrid was nothing short of alarming. Bayern Munich, driven by the electric Michael Olise, repeatedly exposed the flank and carved out chances with alarming ease. Only the wastefulness of Serge Gnabry — who repeatedly found Andriy Lunin instead of the net — kept the hosts in the contest.

Eventually, persistence paid off. When Gnabry turned provider, a beautifully crafted move involving Harry Kane and Luis Díaz ended with a clinical finish from Díaz, capping a flowing attacking sequence that sliced through Madrid’s fragile structure.

The second half began in similar fashion. Once again, Olise was at the heart of the danger, drawing defenders before teeing up Harry Kane for his 11th goal of the campaign — a ruthless finish that left the Bernabéu stunned.

To their credit, Real Madrid responded. For a 20-minute spell, the Spanish giants rediscovered their rhythm, with Manuel Neuer standing firm against efforts from Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. But the relentless pressing from Bayern Munich began to fade, and the hosts capitalised. Mbappé struck his 14th goal of the tournament after a superb assist from Trent Alexander-Arnold, reigniting hope for the home side.

Yet even after conceding, Bayern Munich looked the more dangerous outfit on the break. Jamal Musiala found himself in promising positions but lacked the final touch, echoing earlier inefficiencies in front of goal.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Real - Bayern 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Luis Díaz, 41 (0:1); Kane, 46 (0:2); Mbappé, 74 (1:2)

Real: Lunin Andriy; Alexander-Arnold; Carreras; Rudiger; Huijsen (Militão, 62); Tchouaméni; Pitarch (Bellingham, 62); Güler A. (Diaz Br., 71); Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé
Substitution: Militão (from 62); Bellingham (from 62); Diaz Br. (from 71)
Bench: Gonzalez Fran; Asencio R.; Alaba; García Fr.; Carvajal; Camavinga; García G.; Dani Ceballos; Mastantuono
Yellow Cards: Tchouaméni 37

Bayern: Neuer; Upamecano; Tah J.; Stanisic; Kimmich; Gnabry (Musiala, 69); Olise; Laimer (Davies, 69); Pavlovic Al. (Goretzka, 90); Luis Díaz; Kane
Substitution: Davies (from 69); Musiala (from 69); Goretzka (from 90)
Bench: Urbig; Kim Min-jae; Ito H.; Guerreiro; Bischof T.; Jackson N.; Karl
Yellow Cards: Tah J. 71; Luis Díaz 77; Neuer 82; Musiala 86