Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich beat Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 to seal a top-eight finish in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich booked their place in the UEFA Champions League top eight with a game to spare after a controlled 2-0 victory over Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, a result that leaves the Belgian side’s slim play-off hopes hanging in the balance ahead of the final matchday.
Despite being heavy favourites, Bayern made a sluggish start in the absence of their ultras, who were banned by UEFA. The early tempo was flat, and the hosts struggled to impose themselves against a well-organised Union side.
Harry Kane went closest during a quiet opening half-hour, but his close-range effort was smartly kept out by Kjell Scherpen. Union, however, carried a threat of their own and nearly stunned the Allianz Arena before the break, with Kevin Mac Allister just failing to connect with a teasing free-kick before Promise David forced a fine save from Manuel Neuer with a free header.
Although Bayern gradually regained territorial control, their lack of cutting edge in the final third meant they went into half-time frustrated, having failed to find the breakthrough despite dominating possession.
That changed quickly after the restart. Michael Olise’s driven corner was met by Kane at the near post, the England captain bundling the ball over the line to end a three-match Champions League scoring drought and finally spark Bayern into life.
Three minutes later, Kane struck again from the penalty spot after being fouled while rounding Scherpen, giving Bayern a commanding lead and seemingly killing off the contest.
The hosts were briefly unsettled when Kim Min-jae was sent off for a second yellow card, and Kane later missed the chance to complete his hat-trick by rattling the crossbar from another penalty. Still, Bayern were rarely troubled, extending their unbeaten home run in Champions League group and league phase matches back to 2013, while Union face an uphill task to extend their debut European campaign beyond the league phase.
