Bayern destroy Pafos at home to continue brilliant start in Europe

Bayern Munich stretched their flawless start to the season to nine matches with a resounding 5-1 away victory over Cypriotic champions Pafos FC in their second Champions League outing. 

After hitting the woodwork early on, Harry Kane scored the opener with 15 minutes played, guiding the ball into the far corner from a tight angle after being picked out by Michael Olise.

Six minutes later, Bayern doubled their lead. Raphaël Guerreiro, making his first start of the season, exchanged a quick one-two with Nicolas Jackson inside the box before smashing his shot into the net.

Around the half-hour mark, Jackson got on the scoresheet himself, receiving another Olise pass, taking a touch, and finishing clinically.

Kane then added his second of the night to make it 4-0, weaving through the defence before sliding the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs.

Bayern looked in complete control, but the hosts struck back just before the break, out of nowhere. A loose ball fell to Mislav Oršić, who lashed a superb effort into the top corner to deny Bayern a clean sheet.

Pafos started the second half brightly, with David Goldar directing a promising header towards goal, only for it to be blocked by his teammate Jajá.

Bayern quickly regained control, though, with both Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich missing excellent opportunities to extend the lead further at the beginning of the second half.

Olise later made amends in the 69th minute, firing into the roof of the net to make it 5-1 and seal a commanding win that Bayern controlled until the final whistle.

Both Serge Gnabry and Nicolas Jackson had chances to add to the scoreline in the closing minutes, but both were denied by the woodwork, as the game ended 5-1. 

Bayern have also maintained their remarkable record against new Champions League opponents, winning 10 of their last 11 first-time encounters, the sole exception being a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa last season.