Harry Kane played a pivotal role in Bayern Munich’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Wolfsburg on Sunday, marking an eventful Bundesliga debut for new manager Vincent Kompany. The match, filled with moments of tension and brilliance, showcased Bayern’s resilience as they fought back from a goal down in the second half to secure victory.
The game started positively for Bayern, with Jamal Musiala opening the scoring after just 19 minutes. Kane, making his first start since the Euro 2024 final, was instrumental in setting up the goal. He found French defender Sacha Boey on the right flank, who skillfully dribbled past two Wolfsburg defenders before cutting the ball centrally for Musiala. The young German forward, who has a remarkable record against Wolfsburg, calmly tapped home the opener, marking his sixth goal in eight games against the side.
Despite taking the lead, Bayern struggled to maintain their dominance as Wolfsburg capitalized on defensive errors to overturn the scoreline. Ralph Hasenhuettl’s Wolfsburg side, who had been bystanders in the first half, came to life early in the second. Just a minute after the break, Boey, who was making only his second start for Bayern since joining in January, committed a costly foul on Tiago Tomas in the box, conceding a penalty. Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer stepped up and confidently slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer, sending the Bayern goalkeeper the wrong way.
Wolfsburg’s resurgence continued as Majer found the back of the net again in the 55th minute. This time, Patrick Wimmer pressed Bayern’s Kim Min-jae into making a crucial mistake, allowing Wimmer to collect the ball and advance on goal. With Neuer drawn out of position, Wimmer laid off the ball for Majer, who coolly finished to give Wolfsburg a 2-1 lead.
As Bayern faced the possibility of defeat, Kane’s influence became increasingly apparent. In the 65th minute, the England captain helped Bayern draw level. Kane met a deflected Joshua Kimmich cross with a powerful header, directing the ball goalwards. The header forced Wolfsburg’s Jakub Kaminski into an unfortunate own goal, bringing Bayern back into the contest.
Kane’s contributions didn’t end there. With just eight minutes remaining, he created Bayern’s winning goal. Receiving the ball in a dangerous position, Kane laid off a precise pass to Serge Gnabry, who was perfectly positioned in front of goal. Gnabry made no mistake, slotting the ball home from close range to secure a 3-2 victory for Bayern.
This win extended Bayern’s remarkable unbeaten run against Wolfsburg, who have not beaten the Bavarian giants since 2015, a streak now spanning 21 matches. The victory also marked a successful start for Vincent Kompany, who took charge of Bayern after Julian Nagelsmann’s departure.
While the match highlighted Bayern’s determination and ability to fight back from difficult situations, it also exposed some vulnerabilities in their defense, particularly with new players like Boey still finding their footing. For Wolfsburg, the defeat was a harsh reminder of their struggle to compete against top-tier teams, despite their valiant efforts.
The victory keeps Bayern firmly in the hunt for yet another Bundesliga title, while Wolfsburg will need to regroup and focus on upcoming fixtures. Later that day, newly-promoted St. Pauli hosted Heidenheim in the final match of the round, rounding off an eventful weekend in the Bundesliga.
With Kane now fully integrated into the Bayern lineup, his impact on the team’s attacking prowess is undeniable. As the season progresses, both Bayern fans and neutral observers will be keen to see how Kompany’s side continues to evolve under his leadership.
