Bayern Munich went into the Santiago Bernabeu and came away with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the top tie of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday.
MORE — Champions League schedule, bracket
Luis Diaz and Harry Kane got the goals for Bayern either side of halftime, not long before and just after the break. Diaz made it 1-0 with a perfectly timed run and cool finish int he 41st minute, and Kane got on the end of Michael Olise’s mazy run and pass 20 seconds after the halftime restart. Bayern were nothing short of brilliant in the first half, taking the game to the hosts and looking like favorites for the European crown this season.
It remained 2-0 for most of the second half, until Trent Alexander-Arnold picked out Kylian Mbappe with a sensational cross behind and around Bayern’s defense, and Mbappe got just enough of the ball to put it over the line off the underside of the crossbar.
Bayern will be happy to be ahead at the halfway point of the tie, but also a bit fearful knowing that Real can somewhat throw caution to the wind and go for it in the second leg.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich live updates - by Andy Edwards
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich final score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Luis Diaz (41'), Harry Kane (46'), Kylian Mbappe (74')
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich: Mbappe pulls one back, set up by Alexander-Arnold (74')
Real Madrid are back in the tie 👊
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 7, 2026
Kylian Mbappé with a fine finish from an incredible assist by Trent Alexander-Arnold ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9wFJWh4XVk
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-2 Bayern Munich: Kane scores 20 seconds into the second half (46')
HARRY KANE STUNNER! 🤯
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 7, 2026
His first-ever goal at the Santiago Bernabéu doubles Bayern Munich’s lead🔥 pic.twitter.com/5Q2Aom3plF
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Bayern Munich: Diaz scores after Gnabry slips him through (41')
Bayern Munich LEAD at the Bernabéu ⚽️
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 7, 2026
Luis Díaz finishes off a brilliant team move with a cool finish 🥶 pic.twitter.com/rUenAnVh6S
Real Madrid starting XI
Lunin - Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras - Tchouameni, Pitarch, Valverde, Guler - Mbappe, Vinicius
Bayern Munich starting XI
Neuer - Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer - Kimmich, Pavlovic, Gnabry - Olise, Diaz, Kane
How to watch Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (April 7)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, Spain
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
Alvaro Arbeloa’s Real demolished Manchester City in the last 16 and they are the kings of this competition for a reason. Even though they’re struggling along in La Liga and look very likely to finish second to Barcelona once again, the Champions League always brings out the best in Real and that will have to be the case in these two legs against Bayern Munich.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern have looked sensational for most of the Champions League campaign and they have so many attacking options and when you have Harry Kane in this kind of form, you always feel like you’re going to win a game. The fact that the first leg is away gives Bayern a big opportunity to reach the semifinals.
Real Madrid team news, focus
Arbeloa rested plenty of players at the weekend and Real paid the price as they suffered a shock defeat at Mallorca. Star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains out with an injury, which is a huge blow, but Andriy Lunin is a brilliant back-up. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Franco Mastantuono and Thiago Pitarch could all start in a very attacking lineup, while Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz will also play key roles. Defensively Real have some big players back to fitness and they will need some huge performances in midfield and defense to dictate the tempo and stop Bayern from creating big chances and getting into their rhythm.
Bayern Munich team news, focus
Kompany rested several players at the weekend and teenager Lennart Karl was the hero as Bayern fought back from being 2-0 down with nine minutes to go to win 3-2 against Freiburg as their procession towards the Bundesliga title continues. Harry Kane picked up an injury with England but was back in training on Monday, which is a huge boost, while Manuel Neuer is back from injury and will start in goal with Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies also recovering from long injuries and both should play key roles off the bench. Kane will lead the line and the incredible trio of Luis Diaz, Michael Olise and Serge Gnabry will feed him chances galore.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich prediction
This feels like it will turn into a bit of a basketball game, which is great news for the neutral. Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern Munich.
