Lennart Karl put FC Bayern in the lead on Tuesday. © APA/afp / ALEXANDRA BEIER

The wonderkid wakes up Bayern after own goal

FC Bayern Munich demonstrated their comeback qualities on Tuesday evening. On matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions League, the German record champions fought back after an own goal – thanks in part to their wonderkid.

09 December 2025

From: dpa/nie

Spurred on by an unfortunate own goal from Joshua Kimmich, FC Bayern Munich, displaying all their class, still managed a successful end to the year in the Champions League. In their 3-1 (0-0) victory against Sporting Lisbon, German international Serge Gnabry (65th minute) and the again brilliantly performing young star Lennart Karl (69th minute) turned the game around with their quickfire double after suddenly falling behind in the 54th minute.

Defender Jonathan Tah then added another goal (77th minute). With 15 points, the German champions have virtually secured direct qualification for the round of 16 ahead of the final two matchdays of the league season in January.

Kimmich gives Neuer no chance

The score was 0-0 at halftime – thanks in part to Manuel Neuer. The Portuguese champions' footballing talent did occasionally shine through, often in the form of Geny Catamo on the right wing. His sharp cross was met by Tah sliding in, forcing captain Neuer to make a reflexive save with his left hand to prevent an own goal.

Joshua Kimmich scored an own goal. © APA/afp / ALEXANDRA BEIER

After the break, pyrotechnics in the Bayern Munich fan section initially shrouded the stadium in fog. And before it had properly cleared, the ball was lying precisely in front of the south stand and in Neuer's net. 18-year-old João Simões, who the previous evening had assured everyone in the Munich Arena that "we are not afraid," outmaneuvered Tah with a dribble. And the cross from the highly talented Sporting player was headed into his own goal by Kimmich. This time, even Neuer was powerless.

Bayern Munich teenager Karl continues to score goals

The 1-0 deficit could have shocked Bayern. But it only spurred them on. Olise's corner was converted by Gnabry, unmarked at the far post – 1-1. Then Karl scored after a pass from Konrad Laimer. The 17-year-old thus continued his Champions League history, as no other player so young has scored in three consecutive matches in the competition. After a cross from Kimmich and a pass from Gnabry, Tah sealed the victory with a decisive finish. Alphonso Davies celebrated his comeback after a cruciate ligament tear in the closing stages.

Champions League: Tuesday matches

FC Bayern Munich – Sporting Lisbon 3:1 (0:0)
Goals: 0-1 Kimmich (54th minute/own goal), 1-1 Gnabry (65th minute), 2-1 Karl (69th minute), 3-1 Tah (77th minute)

Qairat Almaty – Olympiacos Piraeus 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: 0:1 Gelson Martins (73.)

Inter – Liverpool 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: 0:1 Szoboszlai(88st/penalty)

FC Barcelona – Eintracht Frankfurt 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: 0:1 Knauff (21st), 1:1 Koundé (50th), 2:1 Koundé (53rd)

Atalanta – Chelsea FC 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: 0:1 Joao Pedro (28th), 1:1 Scamacca (55th), 2:1 de Ketelaere (83rd)

Tottenham Hotspur – Slavia Prague 3:0 (1:0)
Goals: 1:0 Zima (26th/own goal), 2:0 Kudus (50th/penalty), 3:0 Xavi (79th/penalty)

PSV Eindhoven – Atlético Madrid 2:3 (1:1)
Goals: 1:0 Til (10th), 1:1 Alvarez (37th), 1:2 Hancko (52nd), 1:3 Sörloth (56th), 2:3 Pepi (85th)

AS Monaco – Galatasaray 1-0 (0-0)
Goal: 1-0 Balogun (68th minute)

Union Saint-Gilloise – Olympique Marseille 2:3 (1:2)
Goals: 1:0 Khalaili (5th), 1:1 Igor Paixao (15th), 1:2 Greenwood (41st), 1:3 Greenwood (58th), 2:3 Khalaili (71st)