In their opening match of the Champions League season, Manchester United faced a 4-3 defeat against Bayern Munich, with Harry Kane securing a vital goal from the penalty spot.

Harry Kane displayed composure as he confidently converted a penalty for Bayern Munich against Manchester United in their inaugural Champions League encounter of the season on Wednesday night.

With the score at 2-1, Bayern earned a penalty due to a handball by Christian Eriksen. Eriksen’s hand made contact with the ball in the penalty area following a close-range header by Dayot Upamecano.

Referee Glenn Nyberg was summoned to the pitchside monitor by the VAR system, and after a review, he awarded the spot-kick. Kane stepped forward and unleashed a powerful strike into the corner of the net, extending Bayern’s lead to 3-1 and essentially sealing the game in their favor.

However, just before taking the penalty, Kane faced off against United defender Lisandro Martinez, who locked eyes with him and exchanged a few choice words as he held the ball on the spot. Sergio Reguilon was also in proximity, attempting to disrupt Kane, until United captain Bruno Fernandes intervened and separated both players.

Neither Martinez’s words nor Onana’s best efforts could deter Kane, and as a result, United suffered their third consecutive defeat, a feat not seen since 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The battle between Martinez and Kane didn’t conclude there, with the Argentinean international later pushing the English striker on the touchline.

Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka took exception to the altercation, which sent Kane crashing into the linesman, sparking a shoving match with Martinez. Both players received yellow cards from the referee, but it was Goretzka and Kane who ended the night on a more positive note.

Bayern took the lead in the 28th minute when Leroy Sane exchanged passes and fired a shot from the edge of the area at Andre Onana, who deflected the ball into the corner. Just four minutes later, it was 2-0 as Jamal Musiala charged into the penalty area and set up Serge Gnabry, who rifled a shot into the bottom corner.

Rasmus Hojlund pulled one back for United, courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s pass and a fortuitous deflection, but their joy was short-lived. Eriksen’s handball presented Kane with a golden opportunity that he did not squander.

Sane struck the post, and Onana was forced into making several saves as Thomas Tuchel’s side showcased their class. United managed to pull another goal back, with Casemiro netting from a grounded position, but Mathys Tel came off the bench to seal it 4-2 with a splendid finish. Casemiro flicked in Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick deep into added time to make it 4-3, but it proved too little, too late.

United traveled to Bavaria missing many key players due to injuries and are now set to face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday night. The issues faced by United were foreseen by Paul Scholes before the match. He stated on TNT Sports, “That team does worry me slightly. The midfield legs and I believe these games are decided in the midfield area—especially against Bayern Munich, where you have to gain control. Casemiro and Eriksen, both possess great experience but not the swiftest of legs, and I had hoped that Ten Hag would have brought in an additional player to reinforce it.”