Karl stars as Bayern come from behind to beat Sporting

After a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in their previous Champions League outing, Bayern Munich returned to winning ways in Europe's premier club competition with a 2-1 victory over Sporting CP at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.

17-year-old Lennart Karl thought he had given Bayern the perfect start when his curled effort found the back of the net just five minutes in, but the goal was ruled out after VAR determined that Serge Gnabry had been offside in the build-up.

Karl threatened again in the 17th minute when the ball broke kindly for him in a dangerous area, but the German youngster couldn't keep his shot down.

Gnabry then forced Rui Silva into a sharp save before the Portuguese visitors showed real danger for the first time just before the half-hour mark. Attempting to prevent a cross from reaching Sporting’s Luis Suárez, Jonatan Tah slid in and diverted the ball across his own goal, only for Manuel Neuer to react brilliantly and claw it away.

Bayern continued to push for the breakthrough at the other end. Harry Kane struck the post from distance in the 37th minute, and both Josip Stanisic and Lennart Karl produced threatening efforts, but the match remained goalless at the interval.

That changed early in the second half – though not in the way Bayern hoped, as Sporting took the lead in the 54th minute when Joshua Kimmich inadvertently turned a low cross into his own net while attempting to clear.

Bayern struggled to respond initially, but they eventually found the equaliser in the 65th minute. Serge Gnabry, left completely unmarked at the back post, volleyed in Michael Olise’s corner to bring the hosts level.

The turnaround was completed just four minutes later when Lennart Karl was released in behind and powered a shot past Rui Silva to score his third goal of the Champions League campaign and put Bayern ahead.

Bayern sealed the win in the 77th minute. Joshua Kimmich delivered a cross that Serge Gnabry headed across goal, allowing Jonathan Tah to turn it in and make it 3-1.

Luis Suárez had a great chance to bring Sporting back into the game in the 83rd minute. After a counter, the striker found himself in a promising position, but his first touch let him down, and Dayot Upamecano managed to block his shot.

Towards the end of the match, Alphonso Davies made his long-awaited return to action, having fought his way back from the cruciate ligament rupture he suffered while playing for Canada in March.

Bayern ultimately held on for a 3-1 victory, moving up to second place in the Champions League table with 15 points ahead of the remaining Matchday 6 fixtures.