Bayern vs Union Saint-Gilloise: Harry Kane brace seals 2–0 win as Bayern book Champions League last-16 spot

Bayern vs Union Saint-Gilloise ended 2–0 in Munich on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with Harry Kane scoring twice in three minutes to push Bayern into the Champions League last 16 with a match to spare. Bayern did it the hard way after a tense, goalless first half and played the final half-hour with 10 men, but still controlled the finish and kept a clean sheet.

The result also tightened the top of the league-phase table: Bayern’s sixth win in seven matches moved them back into second place on 18 points, while Union Saint-Gilloise’s slim margin for progression shrank further ahead of the final matchday.

Bayern vs Union Saint-Gilloise: how the match unfolded

Bayern started brightly but didn’t turn possession into a breakthrough before the interval, and Union Saint-Gilloise had the kind of chances that can flip a big night—most notably a free header from close range that went straight at the goalkeeper. Bayern’s best first-half moments came from set pieces and quick combination play down the left, but the finish never arrived.

Everything changed immediately after the restart.

Kane opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, powering a header from a whipped corner delivery. Three minutes later, he won and converted a penalty to make it 2–0, giving Bayern breathing room just as the visitors were beginning to believe the game might drift in their favor.

The contest shifted again on the hour when Minjae Kim received a second yellow card and Bayern were reduced to 10 men. Union Saint-Gilloise tried to press the advantage, but Bayern managed the game with long spells of possession and smart tempo control.

Kane had a chance to complete a hat-trick late on when Bayern were awarded another penalty after a handball in the box. This time his strike crashed off the frame of the goal, leaving him one goal short of a Champions League treble—but Bayern’s two-goal cushion held to the final whistle.

• Bayern 2–0 Union Saint-Gilloise

• Goals: Kane 52’, Kane (pen) 55’

• Red card: Minjae Kim (second yellow) 63’

• Missed penalty: Kane hit the woodwork late in the second half

Key takeaways

• Bayern qualified for the Champions League last 16 with one league-phase game still to play, climbing back into second place on 18 points.

• Kane’s quick-fire double turned a nervy night into a controlled win, and he finished just short of a hat-trick after a late penalty struck the frame.

• The red card to Minjae Kim forced Bayern into a different game plan, but they protected the lead with possession and composure.

• Union Saint-Gilloise created real first-half chances but couldn’t punish Bayern before the breakthrough, a familiar story for underdogs at this level.

Bayern: what this win says about Kompany’s side right now

This was a useful snapshot of Bayern’s 2025–26 identity. When the attack clicks, goals can arrive in a rush; when chaos hits—like a sending off—they have the experience and technical control to shut the match down without turning it into a track meet.

The bigger headline is Kane’s output and influence. Beyond the two goals, he was central to Bayern’s best sequences, constantly occupying defenders and creating space for runners around him. His missed penalty won’t worry Bayern as much as it will annoy Kane; the fact he was still taking responsibility at 2–0 up tells you the striker’s mindset is locked in.

One other subplot that stood out in the stadium: Bayern played without their usual “ultras” presence in the main south-stand section due to a club decision following disciplinary fallout from earlier pyrotechnics. Even with that reduced atmosphere, Bayern still found the burst of intensity that mattered most—right after halftime.

This was also another “scoreboard” win for Bayern’s season narrative: they extended their unbeaten run across all competitions and continued a scoring pace that has been staggering domestically. The Champions League hasn’t always been smooth for them this season, but nights like this are exactly how elite sides build knockout-stage momentum.

A short historical note helps frame it: Bayern have long been defined by turning tight European home games into routine results—especially when the opposition misses its best first-half chance. The pattern didn’t start this season, and it won’t end with it.

What’s next for Bayern and Union Saint-Gilloise

With qualification secured, Bayern’s final league-phase match becomes a strategic decision as much as a sporting one. Rotation, minutes management, and avoiding unnecessary suspensions now matter—especially with domestic fixtures still coming thick and fast. Union Saint-Gilloise, meanwhile, head into the last matchday needing results and help elsewhere, with little margin left after a fifth defeat of the league phase.

The signal to watch next is selection. If Bayern rotate heavily in the finale, it’s a clear sign they’re prioritizing freshness and health for the round of 16. If they keep the core intact, it suggests they still want to cement a higher position and keep the competitive rhythm roaring into the knockouts.