100th victory in the Champions League: Manuel Neuer's "coronation" was only achieved by three professionals before him

100th victory in the Champions League: Manuel Neuer's "coronation" was only achieved by three professionals before him. 18.09.2025, 08:06

Bayern impressively mastered their first major test of the season. Captain Manuel Neuer celebrated a special victory, calling it a "crowning achievement." However, striker Harry Kane saw the 3-1 win against Chelsea as merely a milestone.

After his brace, Harry Kane left the arena with the silver Man of the Match trophy. Captain Manuel Neuer didn't receive a trophy after Bayern Munich's 3-1 win over Chelsea. But the 39-year-old goalkeeper also achieved something special in the Champions League opener: It was his 100th victory in the premier class.

"That's obviously a great number," said Neuer after his 151st appearance in Europe's elite league. And he is only the fourth player in Champions League history, following Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, his long-time Bayern colleague Thomas Müller, and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, to reach the 100-win mark.

"A great team beaten"

But something else was more important to Neuer on Wednesday evening. "We're happy that we beat a great team at home. That's a good sign," said the captain after the convincing victory against the Club World Cup winners and Conference League winners. It was a sign both internally and externally. A sign that the German champions are a force to be reckoned with this season after the previous debates about their underdog status.

Six competitive matches, six wins—things are going well at the start of the season in all competitions. Neuer sounded euphoric: "We're riding a positive wave. It's truly a crowning achievement, the way we played and beat them."

Double packer Kane: It was high level

Kane, who converted the penalty to make it 2-0 and scored the decisive 3-1, was also completely satisfied after what was also a personally strong performance against the club from his home country. "It was a high level, a top performance. And the biggest test of the season so far," said the Englishman.

The foundation has been laid for a successful league campaign. A top-eight finish, and thus direct qualification for the round of 16, is the first goal. "That was the first step," said Kane before disappearing from the arena with his family into the Munich night. In two weeks, the campaign continues in Cyprus, facing Champions League newcomers FC Pafos.