Harry Kane lauded Luis Diaz’s late “moment of magic” that sealed the fate of Bayern Munich, propelling them past Real Madrid into the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday.
With a 2-1 cushion from the first leg, Bayern found themselves in a tight contest, trailing on three separate occasions during the first half as the 15-time record champions, Real Madrid, showcased their renowned prowess on the European stage.
The aggregate score stood at 4-4 when Diaz struck with precision in the 89th minute, giving Bayern the advantage, followed by a late goal from Michael Olise during injury time.
Bayern will now face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals after securing a thrilling 4-3 victory on the night, culminating in a 6-4 win on aggregate.
“I felt like we were the team pushing to create chances even in the final 20 minutes of the match,” Kane remarked to the press.
“They seemed to be tiring a bit, and sometimes it just takes a moment—be it a bit of magic, an incredible goal, or a brilliant pass.
“In this instance, it was two fantastic finishes from Lucho (Diaz) and Michael (Olise), which helped us clinch the game, and that’s the essence of the Champions League.
“There are times when you can dominate and still lose, so advancing in this one feels great.“
The England skipper credited the team’s tenacity as a vital factor in overcoming their Madrid rivals.
“The rollercoaster of highs and lows in the first half was rather exceptional,” Kane noted.
“We maintained our composure, particularly in the second half, knowing we would grow stronger as the match progressed.
“Physically, we’ve been formidable in the last 10-15 minutes this season, and that was evident today as we capitalised on our chances at the end.“
Kane’s goal in the first half made him the first English player in a top-five European league since the 1930-31 season to achieve 50 goals across all competitions in a single campaign.
“This is a testament to the enormous effort we put in as a collective, not just myself, but the entire team,” Kane explained to TNT.
“This wouldn’t be achievable without those around me, and I’m focused on keeping this momentum going.
“We have another six weeks in a Bayern kit, and with the World Cup for England approaching this summer, my aim is to stay fit and sharp to support the team.“
Bayern’s coach, Vincent Kompany, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to take on PSG.
“Our belief in ourselves is at an all-time high,” Kompany declared.
“We fought until the very end, never conceding defeat after those challenging encounters against a formidable Real Madrid side.“
Compiled by SportArena.au
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
