Kane's Champions League streak ends despite Bayern's win over Atletico

Harry Kane's Champions League scoring streak ended at 10 consecutive appearances on Tuesday night, as Bayern Munich defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.

The England captain and reigning Ballon d'Or winner failed to find the net for the first time in a European match since the 2025-26 campaign.

Kane had entered the match needing one goal to match Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time record of 11 straight Champions League games with a goal.

Ronaldo set that mark during the 2017-18 season, a streak that began with a double against Juventus in the prior season's final and carried through the group stage and knockout rounds.

Kane's own streak began on matchday seven of the 2025-26 Champions League, when he scored a brace against Union Saint-Gilloise.

He followed that with a goal against PSV Eindhoven before sitting out the 6-1 last-16 first leg at Atalanta.

Kane returned to start the second leg against Atalanta and scored twice, then netted in every European tie until Paris Saint-Germain ended Bayern's run in the semi-finals.

This season, the streak carried into matchday one with a strike against Bodo/Glimt, a goal against Viking FK on matchday two, and a penalty against Arsenal on matchday three.

That penalty against Arsenal moved Kane within one of Ronaldo's record.

Against Atletico Madrid on matchday four, Kane played the full 90 minutes but could not convert.

Bayern took the lead through Lennart Karl, and Konrad Laimer sealed the win with a second-half strike — a goal that Kane assisted.

Even without a goal, Kane's influence on the match was clear.

The sequence underlined his reputation as one of Europe's most clinical forwards over the past two seasons.

Kane now sits second on the all-time list for consecutive Champions League games with a goal, ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robert Lewandowski, who each managed nine.

Ronaldo's 11-game streak remains untouched.

Kane's run of 10 consecutive appearances with a goal is the longest by any player in the competition since Ronaldo's record.

It is also the longest by any Bayern Munich player in the club's history.

The streak spanned two Champions League seasons and included goals against six different opponents.

Kane scored a total of 16 goals across those 10 games, including braces against Union Saint-Gilloise, Atalanta, and Bodo/Glimt.

His goal against Arsenal on matchday three this season was a penalty, calmly slotted home under pressure.

Tuesday's match was the first time since matchday six of the 2025-26 group stage that Kane had failed to score in a Champions League appearance.

Bayern's 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid moved them to the top of their group with 10 points from four matches.

The result keeps Bayern on track for the knockout stages, where Kane will have another chance to chase Ronaldo's record next season.

For now, the focus shifts to Bayern's domestic campaign and the remainder of the Champions League group stage.

Kane's assist against Atletico demonstrated that his value to the team extends beyond scoring.

He has now registered 156 goals in 161 competitive appearances for Bayern since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.

That tally includes 61 goals in all competitions last season alone, the most productive campaign of his career.

Kane scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga, 10 in the German Cup, and 14 in the Champions League last season.

His performances helped Bayern retain the Bundesliga title, win the German Cup, and lift the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.

He also scored 12 goals for England, including six at the 2026 World Cup, where he captained the Three Lions to third place.

Those achievements earned him the 2026 Ballon d'Or, making him the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years.

He also received the Gerd Müller Trophy as the world's best striker.

Shortly after winning the Ballon d'Or, Kane signed a contract extension with Bayern Munich that will keep him at the club until June 30, 2029.

Reports in Germany described the deal as the most lucrative in Bayern's history, with Sky Germany reporting that Kane will earn at least €25 million annually.

In a statement on Bayern's website, Kane said he was happy in Munich and had been keen to extend his stay.

"I feel right at home at FC Bayern. I love the club, the fans and the city of Munich. We have a fantastic team and, in Vincent Kompany, a fantastic manager," Kane said.

"It makes me very proud to be part of this club. My whole family is very happy here. I was keen to stay. I'm now looking forward to the future, and I want to win many more titles with this great club."

Despite the end of his scoring streak, Kane remains one of the most dangerous forwards in European football.

His 14 Champions League goals last season were the most by any player in the competition.

This season, he has three goals in four Champions League matches before the Atletico game.

Kane's overall Champions League record stands at 48 goals in 67 appearances across his career with Tottenham and Bayern.

He has never won the Champions League, though he came close with Tottenham in 2019, reaching the final before losing to Liverpool.

Bayern are considered among the favorites to win the competition this season.

Vincent Kompany, in his first season as Bayern manager, has built a team that balances attacking firepower with defensive solidity.

The clean sheet against Atletico was Bayern's third in four Champions League matches this season.

Atletico Madrid, known for their defensive organization under Diego Simeone, managed only two shots on target.

Bayern dominated possession with 62% and created several clear chances beyond the two goals.

Kane's movement off the ball created space for Laimer's goal, drawing two defenders before laying the ball off.

It was the kind of contribution that does not appear on the scoresheet but wins matches.

For a player who has scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country over the past 12 months, a single goalless game is an anomaly.