Bayern Munich booked their place in the last eight of the Club World Cup with a pulsating 4-2 victory over Flamengo, overcoming some spirited resistance from the Brazilian giants in a high-octane encounter in Miami.
With a place in the quarter-finals on the line, Vincent Kompany’s men roared out of the blocks, delivering a double blow within the opening ten minutes. The breakthrough came in the 6th minute when Joshua Kimmich’s corner was inadvertently turned into his own net by Flamengo’s Erick Pulgar. Just three minutes later, Bayern doubled their lead—Dayot Upamecano’s fierce challenge on Giorgian de Arrascaeta forced a turnover, allowing Harry Kane to fire home from 20 metres via a slight deflection off Leo Ortiz.
Flamengo, however, refused to buckle. After speculative efforts from Konrad Laimer and Leo Pereira, the Rio side halved the deficit just past the half-hour mark. A sweeping move down the left found Alex Sandro, whose low cross clipped de Arrascaeta and fell kindly for captain Gerson to hammer a powerful finish beyond Manuel Neuer.
The contest continued at a frenetic pace, with both teams pressing aggressively and launching swift counterattacks. But Bayern restored their two-goal cushion before the break. Flamengo’s failure to clear their lines allowed Leon Goretzka to seize the ball and curl an effort into the far corner, deceiving goalkeeper Agustín Rossi in the process.
Flamengo clawed their way back into the match almost immediately after the restart. Referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty after Michael Olise was judged to have handled de Arrascaeta’s cross. Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho stepped up and coolly converted, sending Neuer the wrong way and reducing the deficit to 3-2.
The introduction of Leroy Sané and Alexandar Pavlović just before the hour mark gave Bayern fresh legs in midfield, although clear-cut chances became scarce. Kane headed wide from an Olise delivery, though he was flagged offside.
But the England captain wasn’t done yet. In the 73rd minute, Bayern’s relentless pressing once again bore fruit. Kimmich picked out Kane, who took one touch before rifling a low shot inside the near post for his second of the match and Bayern’s fourth.
Late in the game, Bayern threatened to extend their lead further on a number of rapid counters, with Olise wasting a gilt-edged opportunity to get on the scoresheet himself. Jamal Musiala and Thomas Müller were brought on in the closing stages as Bayern saw out the win in style.
With this result, the German champions now face Paris Saint-Germain in a mouthwatering quarter-final clash between the two European heavyweights.