Highlights: Bayern Munich down Chelsea 3-2 in International Champions Cup thriller
The first International Champions Cup tournament held in Singapore on Tuesday (25 July) certainly did not disappoint in its opening match between English champions Chelsea and German champions Bayern Munich.
Played in front of 48,522 fans at the National Stadium, the match was mostly dominated by Bayern, who held a two-goal lead going into the half-time break, before surviving a late scare to win the match by a 3-2 scoreline.
There were a number of quality goals put on show too, with the first coming just five minutes and 17 seconds into the game.
Brazilian Rafinha, who started the game at right back or Bayern, was allowed to venture deep into Chelsea’s half before rifling a shot in off the post.
Seven minutes later, they scored their second. Forward Franck Ribery skipped past Chelsea centre-back Cesar Azipilicueta easily in the box before sending a deep cross to fellow forward Thomas Muller, who had the easy job of slotting in.
The German champions were clearly out to wow, as they went 3-0 up in the 27th minute thanks to a wonderfully struck effort from captain Thomas Muller, sending the fans into a frenzy.
Nobody had picked the Bayern captain up when he received the ball at the halfway line, and he needed no further invitation to move upfield before curling it past Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois from outside the area.
Chelsea managed to pull one back right before half-time, after a low cross from Victor Moses was not dealt by Bayern’s defence, allowing Marcus Alonso to slam the ball into the bottom corner.
Alvaro Morata was cheered on loudly when he came on in the 63rd minute to make his Chelsea debut. The striker made an impact later on, flicking on a corner for Michy Batshuayi to tap in to reduce the deficit to just a goal.
Bayern also saw fit to thank the Singapore fans who came to support them, even though most in the stadium were cladd in blue Chelsea jerseys.
The players unfurled a banner with a thank you message, and walked towards where the Bayern fans were seated. Classy.
Bayern with a nice gesture here to thank the fans here who came out to show their support. #ICCSG pic.twitter.com/ncS0Gnh8X5
— Nigel Chin (@nigelchin) July 25, 2017
RELATED
Photos: Football stars in Singapore for ICC
James Rodriguez hopes for fresh start with Bayern Munich
Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta says pre-season win important, coy about transfer
