Bayern Munich have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a comfortable win against 10-man Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Harry Kane gave the hosts an early breakthrough in the all-German meeting before Jamal Musiala doubled their lead by capitalising on a mistake from Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
The visitors went down to 10 men after a second yellow for Nordi Mukiele just past the hour mark, then Kane scored his 31st goal of the season from the penalty spot to seal the victory.
It only took Bayern nine minutes to draw first blood as Kane popped up in front of Mukiele to head home a perfectly-weighted cross from Michael Olise.
The visitors almost found a way back when Dayot Upamecano's dreadful backpass was intercepted by Jeremie Frimpong inside the box, but Bayern captain Manuel Neuer came to his team-mate's rescue with a brilliant save to deny Leverkusen a swift equaliser.
Vincent Kompany's side were denied a second as headed Joshua Kimmich's corner against the crossbar.
After being outplayed in the first half, Leverkusen's hopes of a comeback in the second were dashed when Kovar let a Kimmich cross slip through his gloves for Musiala to poke into an open goal.
Mukiele was then dismissed for a reckless challenge on Kingsley Coman before Kane was dragged down to the floor by substitute Edmond Tapsoba during a corner.
Referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot after a video assistant referee (VAR) review and the England captain made no mistake from 12 yards to pull the Bundesliga leaders further ahead.
The second leg at BayArena will take place on Tuesday, 11 March (20:00 GMT).
Latest Stories
-
Black Stars could miss key players for 2025 Unity Cup – Dr Randy Abbey
5 hours -
Pyramids grab late equaliser in African Champions League final
7 hours -
EU calls for ‘respect’ after Trump threatens 50% tariffs
7 hours -
Ronaldo ‘could play’ in Club World Cup – Infantino
7 hours -
Amorim tells Garnacho he can leave Man Utd
7 hours -
Djokovic makes more history with 100th singles title
7 hours -
Ten Hag set to replace Alonso as Leverkusen manager
7 hours -
Salis’ Sunderland secure Premier League return
7 hours -
Assin Fosu chiefs and elders bless TGMA Unsung Artiste of The Year, Yaw Darling
8 hours -
Middle-aged, 2 children trapped in their home after a fig tree sealed their frontage doors
8 hours -
Roots of resistance: The climate cost of cutting Accra’s trees
8 hours -
Reimagining Informality: Harnessing the Urban potential of street vending in Ghana
9 hours -
Former Yendi MP Dr Farouk Mahama donates towards funeral of late Mion chief
9 hours -
Ghana Gas board pledges accountability and staff support during operational tour
9 hours -
Burkina Faso’s uprising is a rebirth, not rebellion – Ras Mubarak
9 hours