Harry Kane marked his first appearance in Der Klassiker with a stunning hat-trick as his Bayern Munich side thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 away on Saturday with the deadly striker taking his Bundesliga tally to 15 goals in 10 games.
The England captain slotted home from close range in the ninth minute after Dayot Upamecano had headed Bayern in front five minutes earlier, both goals created by Leroy Sane.
Stunned Dortmund improved after the break but Bayern’s record signing Kane grabbed his second goal in the 72nd minute, again from close range, to put the game out of reach.
Kane then added the icing on the cake by completing his third hat-trick of the season and second in succession in the league in stoppage time after racing clear and finishing coolly.
He is the first player to score 15 goals in his first 10 Bundesliga appearances and now tops this season’s scoring charts, one ahead of Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy.
“We are so happy that we have him in the team,” captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said, while veteran Thomas Mueller joked that Kane would run out of space for match balls.
“He’s soon going to need another hotel room,” he said.
Victory left champions Bayern on 26 points, two points behind leaders Bayern Leverkusen who had earlier beaten Hoffenheim 3-2 away, helped by a brace from Alex Grimaldo.
Dortmund’s first league defeat of the season ended a run of 25 home matches unbeaten and left them fourth on 21 points.
YELLOW WALL
After stumbling on the final day of last season to hand Bayern an 11th straight Bundesliga title, Dortmund were itching to make a statement against their rivals and the fabled Yellow Wall of supporters was in full voice before kickoff.
Bayern were humiliated 2-1 by third-tier Saarbruecken in the German Cup second round in midweek and, despite Kane’s goals, they have not been firing on all cylinders, though they remain unbeaten in the league.
However, they produced their best display of the season to outclass Dortmund, seizing control from the first whistle.
Upamecano escaped his marker to thump a close-range header into the net from a delivery by Sane, who was unstoppable early on and linked brilliantly down the left before sliding a low cross for Kane to tap home the visitors’ second goal.
Kane also hit the post as Bayern dominated although Dortmund’s Donyell Malen wasted a great chance to pull a goal back in first-half stoppage time, curling his shot over the bar.
The home side regained some control in the second half without really offering much threat.
Kane scored his second goal from Kingsley Coman’s pass and was then played through by Aleksandar Pavlovic’s pass to finish past keeper Gregor Kobel, sealing Bayern’s biggest winning margin away at Dortmund since a 5-1 victory in 2009.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker now has 17 goals in his first 14 Bayern games in all competitions.
Third-placed Stuttgart can move within two points of Bayern if they beat lowly Heidenheim away on Sunday.
Rio Ferdinand may be done with UK living, for now.
The former Manchester United star, 47, has listed his seven-bedroom Kent mansion for £10.5 million (Dh52 million), hinting his move to Dubai is permanent.
Set in the exclusive Farnborough Park estate, the 12,500 sq ft home features landscaped grounds, a private gym, grand reception spaces, and a luxury master suite with dual dressing rooms. He bought it in 2008 for around £2.7 million, meaning a potential £8 million profit, though tax could apply depending on residency status.
Ferdinand moved to Dubai last year with his wife Kate and their children. They are now living in a luxury villa in Al Barari.
He has been candid about the move, citing more family time, an improved lifestyle, and the appeal of a fresh start. “The lifestyle, safety and weather, it just works for us,” Ferdinand said in the report.
He’s not alone. Vincent Kompany is also reportedly selling his UK home, as more football names rethink where they’re based.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has alerted motorists to expected traffic delays on key roads on Wednesday, April 22, due to the AFC Champions League 2 match taking place at Al Wasl Club.
The fixture between Qatar’s Al Ahli and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia is part of the ongoing AFC Champions League 2, Asia’s second-tier continental competition, which has been drawing strong crowds across the region. Matches at this stage of the tournament typically attract large numbers of fans, especially when hosted in major cities like Dubai, leading to increased traffic around stadium zones.
Authorities expect congestion on roads leading to and around the stadium, particularly during pre-match and post-match hours, as supporters head to watch the game live.
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
To help ease congestion, the RTA confirmed that additional parking spaces will be available behind the stadium, offering more options for those attending the match.
The advisory is part of ongoing efforts to manage traffic during major sporting events and ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for residents and visitors across Dubai.
If you’re driving around Abu Dhabi this weekend, you might want to plan, because several key roads are set to close.
The Run for the Nation 5km race is taking over Wahat Al Karama this Saturday, bringing together the community for a morning of fitness and fun.
But it also means temporary traffic disruptions you should know about.
Here’s what’s happening Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run, the event kicks off at 8am, and it’s completely free to join.
To keep runners safe, road closures will be in place from 5am to 10am around the area. There are additional lane closures on E20 due to ongoing infrastructure works:
• Right lane towards Abu Dhabi closed from April 17 (2pm)- April 20 (5am) • Entry & exit from Al Fursan Street closed from April 18-April 19
Expect delays around Al Fursan Street and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (E20).
What should motorists do • Leave earlier than usual • Follow diversion signs • Avoid the area if possible during peak hours
While traffic may slow things down, the event is all about community, fitness, and bringing people together, a big win for Abu Dhabi’s active lifestyle push.
So whether you’re running or just commuting, be ready, plan smart, and stay moving.