Havana, January 22 (RHC) – Bayern Munich advanced to the round of 16 of the European football Champions League, after beating Union St Gilloise 2-0 on matchday seven of the qualifying phase.
The German club struggled to break down the Belgian team’s resistance, but in the second half, they managed to do so with a brace from England’s Harry Kane in the 52nd and 55th minutes, the second goal from the penalty spot.
Even when Bayern were playing with ten men, following the dismissal of South Korean Min-jae Kim, Kane had another penalty to complete his hat trick, but he hit the post.
With this victory, Bayern now has 18 points and occupies second place in the table, three points behind Arsenal, and three more than Real Madrid and Liverpool, the latter of whom are now very close to qualifying for the second round after their 3-0 win in Marseille.
Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal in first-half stoppage time (45+1 minute), an own goal by Argentinian Gerónimo Rulli (72), and a strike from Dutchman Cody Gakpo (90+3) secured the victory for the Reds, who only need to win at Anfield against Qarabag of Azerbaijan next Wednesday to qualify for the round of 16.
Two English teams, Newcastle and Chelsea, will go into the final matchday in the top eight with 13 points, the same as Paris Saint-Germain (sixth) and one point behind Tottenham (fifth).
Newcastle cruised to a 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, but Chelsea battled hard to defeat Cypriot side Pafos, with a lone goal from Ecuadorian Moisés Caicedo (78th minute).
With 13 points, but outside the automatic qualification zone, are Barcelona, Sporting, Manchester City, Atlético de Madrid, and Atalanta.
Barça won 4-2 away to Slavia Prague, but lost Pedro González “Pedri,” who left the field injured.
Fermín López scored twice for the Catalans (34th and 42nd minutes), while Czech Vasil Kusej (10th minute) and an own goal by Polish striker Robert Lewandowski (44th minute) scored for the home side.
In the second half, Dani Olmo (63rd minute) and Lewandowski himself (70th minute) sealed the win for the leaders of La Liga.
Atlético de Madrid, meanwhile, could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Galatasaray and lost their chance of finishing in the top eight.
The other Spanish team that played, Athletic Bilbao, still has a chance of finishing in the top 24 and playing in the playoff for a place in the round of 16 after beating Atalanta 3-2 in Bergamo.
