Bayern Munich star striker Harry Kane
Harry Kane scored four to inspire Bayern Munich to a wild 9-2 thumping of Dinamo Zagreb while Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger helped beat ex-club VfB Stuttgart as the Champions League launched its new format on Tuesday.
Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé finished off a fine move for his first Champions League goal for the holders but Deniz Undav levelled for last season’s surprise Bundesliga runners-up, only for Rüdiger to make it 2-1 on 83 minutes and Endrick to add the gloss.
Bayern, with coach Vincent Kompany taking charge of his first Champions League game, went ahead through Kane’s penalty before Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise had them cruising at 3-0 at half-time.
The hosts conceded twice early in the second half as Manuel Neuer went off with a knock, but Kane and Olise soon re-established their dominance before the England skipper got his hat-trick from the spot and scored his fourth also via a penalty.
There was even time for Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka to swell the score.
Liverpool came from behind to beat AC Milan 3-1 in a repeat of the famous 2005 final.
Christian Pulisic rifled home after a flying start at the San Siro.
But Ibrahima Konaté sent in a towering header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick midway through the first half and central defensive partner Virgil van Dijk nodded in after another set piece. Dominik Szoboszlai made the game safe.
Sporting beat Lille 2-0 in Lisbon courtesy of Viktor Gyökeres and a rocket from Zeno Debast. The French side had England midfielder Angel Gomes sent off for a second booking before half-time.
Earlier, Juventus beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 and Aston Villa won 3-0 at Young Boys Bern. (dpa/NAN)
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