In a heart-stopping finish at the Allianz Arena, Alphonso Davies emerged as Bayern Munich’s savior, scoring a dramatic 94th-minute equalizer to send the German giants through to the Champions League knockout stages. The 1-1 draw against a spirited Celtic side was far from convincing, but Davies’ moment of brilliance spared Bayern the agony of extra time and kept their European dreams alive.
Davies Repays Bayern’s Faith
The Canadian international, who recently committed his long-term future to Bayern amid interest from Real Madrid, showed exactly why the club was so keen to tie him down. Davies’ goal was pure instinct, bundling the ball over the line to spark scenes of wild celebration among players and fans alike.
It was instinct. I’m happy to get another one.
– Alphonso Davies on his crucial Champions League goal
The goal, only Davies’ second in the Champions League, couldn’t have come at a more vital time for Bayern. Celtic had frustrated the Bavarians for large stretches and looked to have forced the tie into an additional 30 minutes. But Davies had other ideas, popping up at the back post to break Celtic hearts and send Bayern through 3-2 on aggregate.
A New Contract and a Big Goal
Davies’ heroics came just weeks after he finally put pen to paper on a new Bayern contract through 2030, worth a reported 20 million euros per year. After protracted negotiations, the 24-year-old’s goal will go some way to justifying that hefty price tag and repaying the club’s faith.
Bayern will now await Friday’s last 16 draw with bated breath, knowing they could face Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid for a place in the quarter-finals. The Champions League remains an elusive target for Julian Nagelsmann’s side this season, but thanks to Davies’ moment of magic, those dreams are still very much alive.
Key Takeaways
- Davies scores 94th-minute equalizer to send Bayern through
- Celtic frustrated Bayern for long periods at Allianz Arena
- Davies recently signed new long-term Bayern contract
- Bayern to learn last 16 opponents in Friday’s draw
So while it was far from vintage Bayern, Alphonso Davies provided the spark right when his team needed it most. The celebrations afterwards showed just how much it meant, as Bayern live to fight another day in Europe. With Davies now committed for the long haul and delivering in the biggest moments, Nagelsmann’s men will still believe anything is possible in this season’s Champions League.
