Bayern Munich maintained their perfect start to the season as they thrashed Pafos 5-1 at the Stelios Kyriakides Stadium in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
As expected, Bayern started strongly as Luis Díaz’s close-range shot was well-saved by Neofytos Michail, before Harry Kane struck the post from a sensational overhead kick.
However, the Englishman then opened the scoring minutes later, as he finished first-time into the far corner after Michael Olise threaded him through.
Raphael Guerreiro doubled the lead by finishing off a swift passing move with a delicate finish over Michail, and the man who passed to him, Nicolas Jackson, then scored his first Bayern goal by sweeping Olise’s pass into the bottom corner.
Jajá tried to score a consolation on the break, but he shot straight into Manuel Neuer’s arms.
Unfortunately for Pafos, Bayern immediately broke down the other end and added a fourth as Kane netted his brace after a mazy dribble into the box.
The hosts did have something to cheer before the interval, though, as once Michail smothered Diaz’s effort, Kim Min-Jae gave the ball away to Mislav Orsic, who brilliantly thundered a strike into the top corner from distance.
Despite a bright start from Pafos in the second half, Bayern inevitably started creating more chances, as Michail made strong saves to deny Olise and Aleksandar Pavlovic, before Joshua Kimmich headed the rebound from the latter just wide.
Jackson then ran in behind and forced another smart save from Michail, but Olise tucked the rebound into the top corner. That goal ensured that the Bavarians continued their streak of scoring in both halves in every game this season. The visitors even struck the post twice just before stoppage time, first through Serge Gnabry and then Jackson, but they settled for just the five goals in the end.
After a spirited draw at Olympiacos with 10 men on matchday one, Pafos got a rude awakening of how tough the UCL really is, as this result ended a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Bayern are now unbeaten in their last 16 UCL matches when facing a team for the first time.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)