Football

Harry Kane, England's captain, has expressed his disappointment over the high number of withdrawals from the national team squad this week, emphasizing that the team's interests should take precedence. England faces a crucial Nations League match against Greece on Thursday, followed by a home game against Ireland on Sunday. However, interim manager Lee Carsley's final camp before the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as the new manager has been marred by eight withdrawals.Kane, who will lead the team in Athens, expressed his frustration, stating that key players' absence in a must-win match is a setback. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing England over club commitments, emphasizing the joy and excitement that players should feel when representing their country.The Bayern Munich forward criticized the withdrawals, suggesting that the busy schedule may have been exploited. He believes that England's interests should come first, regardless of club situations.Carsley, who will return to his role as England Under-21s coach after the Nations League games, acknowledged the withdrawals but emphasized his focus on the players available. He stated that the situation provides opportunities for others to prove themselves.Despite Kane's comments, Carsley downplayed the significance of the withdrawals, stating that it is not uncommon during this time of year. He expressed his confidence in the players who have joined the squad and their readiness for the upcoming matches.

Bayern Munich's Champions League campaign received a much-needed boost with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica at the Allianz Arena. After consecutive defeats in Europe, the German giants found themselves in a precarious position, but Jamal Musiala's second-half goal proved to be the difference.Despite dominating possession, Bayern struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Benfica defense. The home crowd, in a somber mood due to a hospitalized fan, remained silent throughout the match. However, Musiala's header from a Harry Kane assist broke the deadlock in the 70th minute.Bayern's victory was far from convincing, but it was enough to lift them to 17th place in the Champions League standings. They still have work to do to secure a knockout spot, especially with a daunting clash against Paris Saint-Germain looming."We had good moments, but the opponent defended well," said Musiala after the match. "It was very important to get three points today. We don't have to win every game by four or five goals. Sometimes 1-0 is enough."Bayern coach Vincent Kompany echoed Musiala's sentiments, saying, "Sometimes it's good to win like this -- even though we of course prefer to win by three or four. I knew we needed to stay patient and calm. We did that well. It was a good game and a good win."Despite their struggles in Europe, Bayern remain unbeaten at the top of the Bundesliga table. However, their Champions League campaign has been a rollercoaster ride so far. After a 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb, they suffered a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa and a 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Barcelona.The match against Benfica was delayed by 15 minutes due to public transport issues, and the home fans remained silent throughout due to a medical emergency in the stands. Bayern captain Manuel Neuer revealed that the team "didn't celebrate in the cabin like we normally would" due to the incident.As the game wore on, Bayern grew nervous, but Benfica failed to capitalize on their few chances. Leroy Sane's introduction as a substitute added some much-needed speed, and he played a key role in Musiala's goal.Bayern's final match before the international break is against St Pauli in Hamburg on Saturday. They will be hoping to build on their Champions League victory and maintain their dominance in the Bundesliga.

Harry Kane's brace and assist propelled Bayern Munich to a commanding 3-0 victory over Union Berlin, extending their lead atop the Bundesliga standings to three points. The England captain opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Michael Olise was fouled in the box. Before halftime, Kane turned provider, setting up Kingsley Coman for a thunderous strike. Kane completed his brace in the second half, capitalizing on a loose ball ahead of Jamal Musiala.Despite recent setbacks in the Champions League, Bayern have maintained their dominance domestically, scoring 16 goals without conceding in their last four Bundesliga matches. Kane expressed confidence in his team's abilities, stating, "We've not started the Champions League well, so the pressure is on in every Champions League game now. I think if we use the confidence that we've played the last few games with, we can cause any team a lot of problems."In other Bundesliga action, Borussia Dortmund eased the pressure on coach Nuri Sahin with a 2-1 home win over RB Leipzig. Benjamin Sesko gave Leipzig the early lead, but Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy scored to secure the victory for Dortmund.Eintracht Frankfurt continued their impressive form with a 7-2 thrashing of Bochum. Omar Marmoush, who now trails Kane by one goal in the scoring charts, contributed a goal and two assists. Hugo Ekitike scored a brace, while Ansgar Knauff, Nathaniel Brown, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Can Uzun also found the net.Promoted sides St Pauli and Holstein Kiel celebrated victories, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation. Kiel earned their first Bundesliga win with a 1-0 home triumph over Heidenheim, while St Pauli defeated Hoffenheim 2-0. Bochum remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point from nine games.

Bayern Munich's resurgence continued on Saturday as they thrashed Stuttgart 4-0 at home, with Harry Kane's hat-trick proving decisive. The victory ended a three-game winless run in all competitions and propelled Bayern back to the top of the Bundesliga on goal difference.Kane, who had not scored in four games for club and country, broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a stunning long-range effort. He doubled his tally just three minutes later with a clinical finish from inside the box. The England captain completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, tapping home from close range.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl hailed Kane's performance, describing him as a "killer." "It was nice with that first goal, and the two afterwards showed what a killer he is," Eberl said.Kane, who has now scored 57 goals in all competitions for Bayern, admitted to feeling relieved after ending his goal drought. "There's always talk when you don't score for a while as a striker," he told Sky Germany. "I always believed in myself, my abilities and my teammates -- that was clear today."Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised Kane's unwavering hunger for goals. "He's always hungry, even in training," Kompany said. "He's always scored goals and always will -- that will never change."The victory was a timely boost for Bayern ahead of their midweek Champions League clash with Barcelona. Kompany acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match but emphasized the need to celebrate their latest triumph. "We can celebrate a bit, but then it keeps going against Barcelona," he said.

Bayern Munich continued their dominant start to the Bundesliga season with a resounding 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday. Michael Olise, the summer signing from Crystal Palace, was the star of the show, scoring twice and assisting on two more goals. Harry Kane also got on the scoresheet, continuing his impressive form since joining Bayern from Tottenham.Olise opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, finishing off a pass from Kane. He then turned provider, setting up Jamal Musiala for Bayern's second goal shortly after. Kane extended Bayern's lead in the 57th minute, tapping in a pass from Olise. Olise then scored his second goal of the game, before Kane set up Serge Gnabry to make it five.The win was Bayern's fourth in four Bundesliga matches this season, and they now sit top of the table. Werder Bremen, on the other hand, have lost their last three league games and are now in the relegation zone.Olise's performance was particularly impressive, as he showed his versatility and creativity in attack. He was a constant threat to the Werder Bremen defense, and his goals and assists were crucial in Bayern's victory.Kane also continued his fine form for Bayern, scoring his 10th goal in six games in all competitions. The England captain is now Bayern's leading scorer this season, and he is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Munich.Bayern will now turn their attention to next Saturday's match against Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen are one of Bayern's main rivals for the Bundesliga title, and the match will be a key test of Bayern's credentials.

Harry Kane's remarkable career reached a new milestone as he celebrated his 100th England cap with a stunning brace against Finland in the Nations League. The Tottenham Hotspur striker's goals sealed a 2-0 victory for the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium.Kane's first goal came in the 58th minute, as he received a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold and unleashed a blistering strike that cannoned into the net off the underside of the crossbar. His second goal followed in the 76th minute, with Noni Madueke setting up the striker for a clinical finish from close range.The goals marked Kane's 68th and 69th for England, moving him closer to Wayne Rooney's record of 120. Kane is now the third England player to score on their 100th appearance, joining Rooney and Bobby Charlton.England's interim manager, Lee Carsley, praised Kane's performance, saying, "His finishing is very good, even in training. It's not a surprise when he scores goals as his habits are so good."Carsley also oversaw a 2-0 victory against Ireland in his first game in charge on Saturday, making him the first England manager to win his first two competitive games since Fabio Capello in 2008.Carsley's attacking game-plan has been a stark contrast to his predecessor Gareth Southgate's conservative tactics. The former England Under-21 coach gave a first Three Lions start to Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, who made a solid impact, while Chelsea winger Madueke set up Kane's second goal after coming off the bench for his debut.Kane's performance was a reminder of his enduring quality and his ability to inspire his teammates. The striker has shown no signs of slowing down, and he remains one of the most feared forwards in world football.

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has been crowned the European Golden Shoe winner for the 2023-24 season, receiving the prestigious award at a ceremony in Munich on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Kane's remarkable tally of 36 goals in the Bundesliga propelled him to the top of the scoring charts across all European leagues.Despite being the Premier League's top scorer on three occasions, Kane had never previously won the Golden Shoe. The award recognizes the highest goalscorer in any European football league, and Kane's achievement marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career."It's a fantastic feeling," Kane said after receiving the award. "The award is for everyone. Without you, I wouldn't be standing here today."Kane's success in Munich has been a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. After a trophyless debut season with Bayern, the first time the club had failed to win silverware since 2012, Kane has bounced back with a vengeance."I feel good and am looking forward to the new season," Kane added. "I feel a new energy."Kane's goal tally of 36 in 32 Bayern appearances is just five shy of the single-season record held by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored 41 goals in the 2020-21 season. However, Kane remains humble about his chances of breaking the record."Once we get to April and we're a little bit closer, maybe it's something we can talk about, but for now it's just taking it game by game, trying to help the team by scoring goals," Kane said.This season's Champions League final will be held in Munich, and Kane is eager to lead Bayern to glory on home soil. "We have to be there," he said.Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen praised Kane's character and contributions to the team since his arrival in Munich. "Harry has been an exceptional player for us," Dreesen said. "His goalscoring ability is unmatched, and he has also been a great leader in the dressing room."Kane's Golden Shoe award is the latest in a long list of personal accolades, but he remains focused on team success. "I want to continue on as I started last season, but it is important to win titles," Kane said. "We want to achieve success as a team."

Harry Kane's heroics propelled Bayern Munich to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Wolfsburg in Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga debut as manager.Bayern took an early lead through Jamal Musiala, but Wolfsburg stunned the visitors with two goals from Lovro Majer in the second half. The Croatian midfielder capitalized on defensive errors to put Wolfsburg in front.However, Kane's presence proved pivotal for Bayern. His header forced an own goal from Wolfsburg's Jakub Kaminski, leveling the score. The England captain then set up Serge Gnabry for the winning goal in the 82nd minute.Despite the victory, Bayern's performance was far from perfect. "We got punished a little in the second half," Kane admitted. "We're still implementing the coach's ideas."Joshua Kimmich echoed Kane's sentiments, acknowledging that Bayern "lost control of the game due to many mistakes." However, he praised the team's resilience in coming back from behind.Wolfsburg's resurgence in the second half was impressive, but they were unable to hold on to their lead. The defeat extended their winless streak against Bayern to 21 matches.In other Bundesliga action, promoted St Pauli hosted Heidenheim in the final match of the round.

Bayern Munich, under the guidance of new manager Vincent Kompany, made a resounding start to their German Cup campaign with a 4-0 victory over second-division Ulm on Friday. The match marked the first competitive fixture of the German football season.Thomas Mueller, the veteran Bayern striker, was the star of the show, scoring twice in the first half. His first goal came in the 12th minute, when he tapped in a pass from Joshua Kimmich. Just three minutes later, Mueller doubled Bayern's lead, tucking in a cross from Serge Gnabry.Bayern continued to dominate the match in the second half, and they extended their lead in the 79th minute. Kingsley Coman, who had come on as a substitute, turned in a pass from new signing Michael Olise. Harry Kane, another substitute, added a fourth goal in injury time, his first German Cup goal.The victory was a welcome boost for Bayern, who failed to win a trophy last season, their first trophyless campaign since 2012. Kompany, who was appointed as manager in the summer, will be hoping to lead Bayern back to success this season.Earlier on Friday, first-division sides Mainz, St Pauli, and Hoffenheim each beat lower league opposition to progress past the first round of the German Cup. Defending German Cup holders Bayer Leverkusen will be in action in the DFL Supercup at home against Stuttgart on Saturday night.