Bayern Munich claimed all three points in their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League opening game against Chelsea by 3 goals to 1. Prior to the game, Bayern had won three of their last four games against Chelsea in the competition including winning both legs against them in the 2019/20 last 16. They had also lost only one of their last eleven home games against English sides in the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, Chelsea are returning to the competition this year after being absent for two years. They have also lost 60% of their games against Bayern in the European Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Game Overview
The blues were off to a good start as just two minutes into the game, Gusto found space on the right flank and whipped in a pass into Bayern’s penalty area but no Chelsea player was able to get a touch on the ball.
Bayern’s first opportunity came in the eight minute when Diaz delivered an excellent ball into Chelsea’s penalty area but Kane could only direct his header over the crossbar.
The Blues kept on dominating the play but were unfortunate to have conceded a goal in the 20th minute from a Kimmich short free-kick which was played onto the path of Olise who went past Pedro and squared a pass across Chelsea’s six yard area. Chalobah with an unfortunate touch sent the ball into his own net.
Shortly after that, Bayern forward Harry Kane was able to convert a kick from the spot giving Bayern a two goal lead.
Two minutes later, Chelsea were able to reduce their deficit as Cole Palmer played a give and go with Gusto before making a left-footed effort into the top-left corner of the net.
Chelsea still looked dangerous for a while and came close to leveling the score in the 35th minute when they came through Joao Pedro but Laimer committed to a timely challenge. However, the ball fell 20 yards out to Neto who shot wildly over the bar.
The Bavarians resumed the second half with an early substitution as Jonathan Tah gave way for Kim Min-Jae.
Vincent Kompany’s side who had not lost any of their last 44 UEFA Champions League games when they were ahead at halftime since a 2-1 home defeat to Real Madrid in April 2017, made the game unaccommodating for the visitors.
Bayern extended their lead in the 63rd minute when Gusto laid a poor pass back to Kane who curled the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net.
The Bavarians almost got a fourth goal when Olise found space on the right flank and curled a left-foot effort past the left-hand post.
With just a few seconds to stoppage time, Cole Palmer thought he had pulled one back for his side when he bent a lovely through ball from Andrew Santos with the outside of his boot into the bottom-left corner of the net. However, after a VAR review the goal was ruled out.
Game insights
Bayern had 15 shots compared to Chelsea’s seven. Since the start of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, no player has scored more goals in the competition than former Tottenham striker Harry Kane who is leveled at 13 goals with Raphinha and Serhou Guirassy.
Bayern are currently placed third in the UEFA Champions League table and will travel to Hoffenheim on Saturday for their next game in the German Bundesliga.
Watch highlights of the game here:
