Bayern Munich recovered from an early scare to beat Sporting 3 to 1 in the Champions League, with teenager Lennart Karl extending his impressive scoring run in Europe.
The forward has now found the net in three consecutive Champions League matches, adding Sporting to a growing list that already includes Club Brugge and Arsenal.
Karl thought he had opened the scoring inside five minutes when he curled a fine finish past Rui Silva, only for the effort to be ruled out for an offside by Serge Gnabry in the buildup.
Bayern did not allow the setback to halt their momentum. Vincent Kompany’s side kept pushing and forced Silva into action when he dived to stop a low effort from Gnabry on the left.
Sporting were not content to sit back and threatened at the other end. Jonathan Tah almost turned Ousmane Diomande’s cross into his own goal, prompting a sharp reaction save from Manuel Neuer.
The tempo remained high, with Harry Kane striking the base of the post shortly before the interval.
The match shifted dramatically nine minutes after the break. Bayern were stunned when Joshua Kimmich inadvertently turned a Joao Simoes cross into his own net, giving the visitors a surprise lead.
The advantage lasted only four minutes. Gnabry found space at the back post to volley home Michael Olise’s corner and restore balance.
Bayern completed their turnaround soon after. Karl showed notable composure when he collected a pass from Konrad Laimer inside the box before finishing confidently at Silva’s near post.
Tah then secured the win with a first time strike after Gnabry headed a Kimmich cross back across goal.
It was a clinical response from Bayern, who now move closer to securing their place in the knockout rounds.
