Bayern Munich and Chelsea met in an early collision of possible Champions League contenders in a key week one staging post in the new continental campaign.
Bayern took the lead in bizarre circumstances, catching the Blues out from a quick drop ball after the referee had blocked the Bavarians' short free-kick. Michael Olise danced into the box before delivering into the danger area, where Trevoh Chalobah knocked into his own net.
The hosts then doubled their lead from a Harry Kane penalty, but were quickly pegged back by a wonderful Chelsea counter, beautifully finished by Cole Palmer on the half-volley.
Chelsea searched for an equaliser after the break but their downfall was self-inflicted, with Kane gobbling up a Gusto error before finishing typically. Bayern's two-goal advantage having been restored, the German champions managed to see out victory with ease.
Follow all of the latest from the Allianz Arena with our live blog below:
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea live
- Chelsea face Bayern Munich in a blockbuster Champions League opener | Live on TNT Sports, kick off at 8pm BST
- 63' GOAL! Harry Kane capitalises on Chelsea error to restore two-goal lead [BAY 3-1 CHE]
- 29' GOAL! Cole Palmer stunner halves deficit in instance response [BAY 2-1 CHE]
- 27' GOAL! Harry Kane tucks home from the spot [BAY 2-0 CHE]
- 20' GOAL! Trevoh Chalobah turns into his own net to break the deadlock [BAY 1-0 CHE]
FULL-TIME! Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:57 , Will CastleAnd there goes the final whistle at the Allianz!
Chelsea suffer defeat on their return to the Champions League. An all-round good performance from Bayern, deserved winners.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:56 , Will Castle90+5 mins: This one is all tied up.
But elsewhere, Liverpool have just bagged ANOTHER late winner against Atletico.
How long can they keep getting away with it?
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:54 , Will Castle90+3 mins: What a story that would have been!
Jackson robs the ball on halfway and goes for the spectacular, catching Sanchez off his line.
His shot swerves away and goes high and wide. Got to rate the audacity!
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:52 , Will Castle90+1 mins: Nicolas Jackson is on the face his parent club as he replaces Harry Kane.
Slightly bizarre viewing but we’re here for it.
Six minutes added on.
NO GOAL! Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:50 , Will Castle90 mins: Maybe not.
Palmer is deemed offside and sees what was a delightful goal chalked off.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 3-2 Chelsea (Palmer, 89')
21:50 , Will CastleHello, here we go!
That is a stunning finish from Palmer, who knocks it around the keeper. Maybe this one still has life?
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:49 , Will Castle88 mins: Good little spell from Chelsea in terms of possession, but there’s no end product.
Garnacho, who is seeing a lot of the ball but hasn’t been able to find anyone with his crosses, gets a shot away but it’s straight at the keeper.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:47 , Will Castle86 mins: Bayern holding firm at the moment, with Kim putting in a fair few important interventions.
He’ll be giving Kompany food for thought, having started this game on the bench.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:44 , Will Castle84 mins: SAVE! Luis Diaz breaks in behind but Sanchez makes himself big and denies the ex-Liverpool man when one-on-one.
The offside flag goes up anyway, but the Spaniard was not to know that.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:41 , Will Castle81 mins: Chelsea are in need of some attacking impetus that isn’t Cole Palmer, and Maresca has turned to Estevao to bring just that.
The Brazilian comes on for Enzo.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:40 , Will Castle78 mins: Chalobah takes a knock to the eye and has to come off for treatment.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:35 , Will Castle74 mins: Chelsea trying to find a way back into this but things aren’t going to be helped by Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick, which manages to hit a one-man wall.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:29 , Will Castle68 mins: Double change for Chelsea as James and Neto make way for Garnacho and Santos.
Bayern also made a switch after the goal, with Goretzka entering the fray in place of Pavlovic.
Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea
21:28 , Will Castle67 mins: Bayern are enjoying themselves again.
The oles are coming out as Olise bends just wide of the post.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 3-1 Chelsea (Kane, 63')
21:23 , Will CastleIt had been coming - but Maresca will be furious that it happened like that.
Gusto is pressed hard as Chelsea try to play out from the back, leading to ricocheted ball falling to Kane in the box.
You don’t need to give the Englishman another invitation, who finishes clinically.
Bayern restore their two-goal lead.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:21 , Will Castle60 mins: SAVE! Brilliant stop from Sanchez to deny Gnabry from close range!
The Spaniard is having a great game.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:20 , Will Castle59 mins: Cucurella getting jeers from the home crowd, who will remain a villain across Germany for his handball that was never given in the Euro 2024 semi-final.
The Germans don’t forget, it seems.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:18 , Will Castle57 mins: CHANCE! Chelsea undone by the overlaps as Laimer slips Kane into the box.
The English sharpshooter tries to squeeze home but Sanchez’s positioning is just right, using his body to save.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:16 , Will Castle55 mins: Bayern break forward and create a really promising chance as Kane, in acres of space, feeds Diaz in the box.
A few stepovers later and the Colombian fires towards Sanchez’s goal, but his low effort is straight at him.
This game is getting more and more stretched.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:13 , Will Castle52 mins: Silky work by Joao Pedro to try and slip Neto in behind.
The Portuguese cuts in and finds James outside the box, who gets his effort away but fails to trouble Neuer.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:11 , Will Castle50 mins: Alas, he is not ok.
It was a heavy landing from Stanisic and after trying to continue, he goes down showing signs of considerable discomfort.
Boey comes on in his place.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:09 , Will Castle48 mins: Aerial clash between Stanisic and Chalobah, leaving the former on the deck.
The ref takes an unusual amount of time before blowing, allowing Kane to be slipped through the middle before Chelsea thwart the Englishman.
Stanisic is up and looks ok.
BACK UNDERWAY! Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
21:06 , Will CastleWe’re off again at the Allianz.
One change to note - Tah is replaced for Bayern as Kim Min-jae comes on. Tah was booked in the first half, which could have something to do with that.
Players return to the pitch
21:04 , Will CastleThe Bayern boys are back out... and here come the Chelsea players.
Looks like the hosts are readying a substitution too.
Second half to come.
HALF-TIME! Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:54 , Will Castle
HALF-TIME! Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:49 , Will CastleThere’s the whistle!
Chelsea go into the break a goal behind Bayern Munich, and they’ll probably take that.
The Blues fell 2-0 down but managed to halve the deficit through a superb Cole Palmer finish, giving them life.
Bayern have since ramped up the pressure again and are hinting at restoring their two-goal lead.
Enzo Maresca’s side are still very much in touching distance here, but there is work to do.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:49 , Will Castle45+2 mins: Olise looks to create inside the box and forces a corner.
The delivery is comfortable for Sanchez who catches.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:47 , Will Castle45+1 mins: TWO minutes added on.
I said 10 minutes ago that Maresca wouldn’t want half-time. I take that back.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:47 , Will Castle45 mins: Bayern pressure is continuing as we near first-half stoppage time, whatever that may be.
After a few consecutive corners, they’re camped out in the Chelsea final third.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:44 , Will Castle42 mins: Sanchez looked worried there as Olise volleys off the Spaniard’s punch, leaving the keeper scuttling across to try and cover his far post.
It goes just wide.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:42 , Will Castle40 mins: Sorry for opening my mouth, Chelsea fans. It’s been all Bayern for the last few minutes.
Very inviting delivery nearly finds Diaz, who claims he was hacked down by a Chelsea shirt when in fact he just jumped over a challenge as the ball went by him.
Olise then dinks it through to Kane whose shot forces the corner.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:40 , Will Castle38 mins: CLOSE! Just as I say Chelsea are probing for an equaliser, Bayern come inches from restoring their two-goal lead.
Laimer receives it on the inside and shoots for the far corner, with it rolling just wide.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:38 , Will Castle36 mins: Chelsea are in the mood now.
They keep coming forward, with Gusto just darting inside before firing goalwards. That was travelling, but blocked by a Bayern shirt.
Neto then shoots over. Maresca will not want half-time to come at this rate.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea
20:34 , Will Castle31 mins: It’s all going on. Chelsea also wanted a red card for the challenge on Joao Pedro by Tah, which appeared to lead with the elbow.
Maresca has been booked for his protests - he’ll need to calm down.
Chelsea are back in it nevertheless.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea (Palmer, 29')
20:30 , Will CastleWHAT A RESPONSE FROM CHELSEA - AND WHAT A FINISH BY COLE PALMER!
The Englishman finishes off a delightful counter started by Caicedo, half-volleying into the top left corner after being set up by Gusto.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 2-0 Chelsea (Kane, 27')
20:29 , Will CastleKane steps up... right into the bottom corner!
Never in doubt when that man steps up to the plate.
Bayern double their lead.
PENALTY! Bayern Munich 1-0 Chelsea
20:28 , Will Castle25 mins: Kane goes down under the challenge of Caicedo - the referee initially waves it away, before changing his mind and pointing to the spot!
Chelsea protest but VAR doesn’t look to be intervening.
Did Caicedo get a slight touch on that?
Bayern Munich 1-0 Chelsea
20:26 , Will Castle23 mins: The build-up to that goal was slightly bizarre.
Bayern’s free-kick from about 30 yards out went short, but instead of finding another player in red, it found the ref’s shin.
That meant it turned into a drop-ball scenario, where Chelsea were caught out.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 1-0 Chelsea (Chalobah OG, 20')
20:22 , Will CastleBAYERN WITH THE OPENER!
Chelsea are undone by a quickly retaken free-kick after the initial Bayern pass hit the referee.
Olise danced into the box before delivering into the danger area, where the unfortunate Chalobah was there to knock into his own net.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Chelsea
20:20 , Will Castle18 mins: Threat from Bayern as Luis Diaz drives at Chalobah before cutting inside and passing.
Kane dummies to allow Gnabry to fake and shoot on the edge of the box, but it’s a vital block from Fernandez.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Chelsea
20:17 , Will Castle15 mins: Good free-kick situation for Bayern with Olise and Kimmich standing over the ball.
Olise lofts one towards the back post but gets too much on it for Gnabry to retrieve.
Chelsea held their line well anyway, with all in red offside.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Chelsea
20:15 , Will Castle13 mins: Another Chelsea sight at goal as a central delivery finds the head of Cucurella, who nods wide.
Joao Pedro has been a source of threat so far for the Blues down that right hand side.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Chelsea
20:09 , Will Castle8 mins: First Bayern attack as Kane latches onto a header, well over the bar however.
Meanwhile, at Anfield, Liverpool are already two goals to the good against Atletico Madrid.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Chelsea
20:09 , Will Castle6 mins: CHANCE! It had been a pretty nothing few minutes as both sides ticked around their back lines, but Chelsea just carved Bayern open at the back!
It’s played down the right before a delivery finds Enzo Fernandez on the penalty spot, but he can’t get a shot away.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Chelsea
20:04 , Will Castle2 mins: Great noise inside the Allianz, as you’d expect on a European night.
It’s Chelsea who come forward first as Gusto latches onto an over-the-top ball before firing in a dangerous ball towards Neto.
He’s pressured enough to deny any meaningful attempt as the ball goes out for a throw.
Chelsea players were appealing to the ref about something, maybe a handball, but it’s waved away.
KICK-OFF! Bayern Munich 0-0 Chelsea
20:01 , Will CastleWe are underway!
The teams are out
19:58 , Will CastleAhhh, it’s good to hear that anthem again.
Moments away from kick-off in Munich.
Closing in on kick-off
19:53 , Will CastleUnder 10 minutes until we get underway at the Allianz Arena for this clash of Champions League contenders?
Can Chelsea show off their “world champions” prowess in Munich? Or will Bayern do the damage on home turf?
Stay tuned for all the action, next.
Enzo Maresca speaks before kick-off
19:45 , Will Castle"The beginning of the game is very important, the first 10-15 minutes, but it is a game of 90 to 100 minutes. For sure the beginning is very important tonight,” he told TNT Sports.
"They [Bayern] are for sure a very good team. For me one of the favourites in this competition. But at the same time I think any team can have weakness and we are going to try to exploit them tonight."
Pre-match preparations
19:34 , Will Castle
Chelsea not distracted by Champions League during Brentford draw, says Enzo Maresca
19:30 , Will CastleChelsea will hope to build on Conference League and Club World Cup success with glory in Europe’s most premier competition - though a mixed start in the Premier League continued as Brentford snatched a last-gasp equaliser at the weekend.
Enzo Maresca rejected suggestions Chelsea were suffering a Champions League distraction at the Gtech.
“Joao Pedro before the game told me he was not fit a hundred per cent, better he doesn’t play,” Maresca revealed. “If I was thinking about Bayern Munich, Joao (would be) on the bench. But he played because the focus was about tonight.
“If we want to play again Champions League next season, we need to do well in the Premier League.”
Chelsea's fond memories of the Allianz
19:20 , Will CastleSafe to say Chelsea know how to do a Champions League night right in Munich...
The biggest issue that comes with Chelsea’s historical financial discrepancies
19:10 , Miguel DelaneyIn long meetings at the top of the FA and Premier League about the Chelsea breaches of agent regulations, there was one issue that caused the most debate, and could still affect outcomes. That is how much a current ownership should bear the weight of a previous ownership.
It may well set a significant precedent in football, given how legally complex the sport is becoming in what is definitively now the era of the owner.
Sources state that the prevailing view within legal teams is that all of this must be put in context of how the previous regime, of Roman Abramovich, bears all the blame, and it was self-reported by Clearlake. That is why there is an expectation that it will end with financial sanctions.
Read more:
The biggest issue that comes with Chelsea’s historical financial discrepancies
What happened on the Champions League's opening night?
19:00 , Will CastleOn a dramatic opening night of the league phase, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a thrilling 4-4 draw and Benfica surrendered a two-goal lead to lose.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe scored two penalties as 10-man Real Madrid came from behind to launch their latest Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Marseille.
Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham both made winning starts against Spanish opposition in Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal respectively.
Here’s a round-up of what happened on Tuesday night:
Juventus and Dortmund in eight-goal thriller; Mbappe spot-on for Real Madrid
Cole Palmer starts for Blues
18:54 , Will CastleAfter an influential cameo off the bench against Brentford, Cole Palmer is back in Chelsea’s starting XI to face Bayern Munich.
Nicolas Jackson, meanwhile, starts on the bench against his parent club.
Confirmed team news!
18:49 , Will CastleBayern Munich XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo, Neto; Joao Pedro.
𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗫𝗜 𝓿𝓼. 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗦𝗘𝗔 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mbK2tNlbKk
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) September 17, 2025
Your Champions League Chelsea. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/3QZQmaiSKI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 17, 2025
The stage for tonight's clash
18:40 , Will Castle
The Champions League’s existential threat is closer than you think
18:30 , Miguel DelaneyIn the days before this Champions League season began, there was considerable agitation about one big topic that may yet change its future.
The Uefa Executive Committee met on Thursday, after a lot of lobbying, to allow LaLiga to play games abroad. It was ultimately decided that the issue had so many potential complications that it required more discussion.
LaLiga’s fiery president, Javier Tebas, would instead argue it’s all very simple, and point to this Champions League week. An unprecedented six Premier League clubs are involved, showcasing the competition’s uncatchable power.
Rivals like LaLiga have to try something.
Read more:
The Champions League’s existential threat is closer than you think
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca highlights Nicolas Jackson advantage for Bayern Munich
18:15 , Will CastleChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is wary of Nicolas Jackson's insider knowledge as his side prepare to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
"I don't have any kind of problem with Nico," said Maresca. "He's a good guy, a good professional who worked well with us. That's it.
"It's a small advantage because (Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany) can ask Nico the way we work and the way we try to prepare games. He knows exactly the way we approach games.”
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca highlights Nicolas Jackson advantage for Bayern Munich
Predicted line-ups
18:00 , Will CastleBayern Munich XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.
Chelsea team news
17:45 , Will CastleChelsea will once again have the option to start Cole Palmer after coming off the bench to score on his return at Brentford.
This acts as a much-needed injury reprieve, with Liam Delap among a list of absentees that also includes Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile and Dario Essugo.
Estevao could also feature, assuming he has overcome the illness that left him out of the weekend’s squad.
Bayern Munich team news
17:30 , Will CastleBayern Munich are plagued with a handful of defensive injuries, with Raphael Guerreiro joining Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies on the treatment table.
Jamal Musiala, once a Chelsea academy prodigy, is also unavailable as he continues his long road to recovery from a horrific leg and ankle break at the Club World Cup.
Blues loanee Nicolas Jackson is eligible to play but likely won’t get the nod ahead of Harry Kane.
Is Bayern Munich vs Chelsea on TV?
17:15 , Will CastleChelsea’s league phase visit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 17 September at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the game on discovery+.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea LIVE
17:00 , Will CastleGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Chelsea’s blockbuster Champions League opener at Bayern Munich.
The London club return to Europe’s top table laden with silverware, a Europa Conference League crown secured in Enzo Maresca’s first season and backed up with Club World Cup success during the summer.
Hopes are high that Chelsea can now contend for prizes of perhaps greater meaning – though a mixed start in the Premier League continued as Brentford snatched a last-gasp equaliser at the weekend.
This will be a useful early test for Maresca’s side against a Bayern team that will harbour ambitions of another Champions League success themselves, and boast Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson in their squad.
Stay tuned for all the build-up, team news and minute-by-minute updates from Munich!
