Harry Kane bags a brace as Bayern Munich take giant step towards quarter-finals

Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich took command of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen with a convincing 3-0 win at the Allianz Arena.

The England captain struck early and then added a penalty in the second half after Jamal Musiala had also got on the scoresheet in a superb display by Vincent Kompany’s side.

It proved a tough night for Leverkusen, whose frustration was compounded by the sending off of Nordi Mukiele.

The all-German encounter between two sides whose rivalry has grown over the past two seasons had been eagerly anticipated but the tie could already be beyond Leverkusen.

Bayern are well on course to regain their Bundesliga crown from Xabi Alonso’s team and it will take a remarkable turnaround in the second leg to prevent them advancing to the quarter-finals.

Kane got the hosts off to a flying start as he opened the scoring after nine minutes.

The former Tottenham forward spread play wide to Michael Olise with a long pass and then continued his run into the box.

Olise returned the compliment with a superb cross from the right and Kane met it with a powerful header that flew into the net.

Leverkusen were almost gifted a way back into the game when Dayot Upamecano’s weak back-pass was seized on by Jeremie Frimpong but Manuel Neuer reacted quickly to block his shot.

Bayern almost doubled their lead when Musiala, unmarked in the six-yard box, thumped a header against the crossbar from a corner.

Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich also threatened for the hosts with shots that flew wide.

Mukiele and Jonathan Tah both missed the target as Leverkusen had chances before the break but Bayern took a firm grip on the game nine minutes into the second half.

Kimmich’s deep cross from the left was spilled by goalkeeper Matej Kovar under little pressure and Musiala pounced at close range.

Bayern suffered a blow when Neuer was forced off injured and had to be replaced by Jonas Urbig.

Yet things got even worse for Leverkusen just after the hour when Mukiele caught Kingsley Coman down the back of his Achilles and was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Kane was awarded a penalty following a VAR review after a tussle with Edmond Tapsoba, who had only just come off the bench.

There was a lengthy delay before the decision was confirmed but Kane was not perturbed and rifled his spot-kick into the roof of the net with 15 minutes left.

Leroy Sane almost added a fourth when he blasted wide after a good run.

Joao Palhinha went even closer in stoppage time with a shot that clipped the top of the bar after a neat bit of skill by Musiala.