Finally broke it. And the place was even more symbolic. Bayern Munich ended a long nightmare at the Santiago Bernabéu, once called the "worst away ground in Europe."
Global outlet Goal.com highlighted on the 9th (Korea time) that "Bayern Munich finally broke a jinx that had lasted nearly 25 years on the road at Real Madrid." It was not a simple victory. It was a result that reversed a historical trend.
Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Spain, on the 8th. A draw in the second leg at home on the 16th will be enough to advance to the semifinals.
Bayern scored the opening goal. In the 41st minute of the first half, Kane dropped into midfield to build the attack, and Luis Díaz, receiving a through pass from Serge Gnabry, struck the net with a right-footed shot.
Bayern added another goal just 20 seconds into the second half. After breaking up Real's build-up, Michael Olise laid the ball off and Kane finished with a right-footed shot from the penalty arc. It was Kane's 11th Champions League goal this season.
Real fought back. In the 29th minute of the second half, Kylian Mbappé followed up Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross by poking it in with his left foot. It was Mbappé's 14th Champions League goal.
In the remaining time, Real pressed by bringing on Jude Bellingham and Brahim Díaz. In the closing stages of the second half, shots from Vinícius and Éder Militão followed, but Noirer saved them all.
In the end, Bayern held on to a one-goal lead and secured a valuable away victory.
Before this win, Bayern had not beaten Real Madrid in nine Champions League meetings: seven losses and two draws. The record was thoroughly one-sided. It was even worse away from home. Inferiority was repeated in both performance and results.
The Bernabéu was like "forbidden ground" for Bayern. The last away win came on May 1, 2001. After that 1-0 victory, Bayern had not won at this stadium for 25 years. There were several attempts, but the results repeatedly ended in failure.
The actual record proves it. Since 1975, Bayern managed only three wins in 15 matches at the Bernabéu. There were two draws and a staggering 10 losses. Especially since the 2000s, it was close to a "history of defeats."
A 1-2 loss in the 2011-2012 season, a 0-1 loss in 2013-2014, a 2-4 loss in 2016-2017, a 2-2 draw in 2017-2018, and most recently a 1-2 loss in the 2023-2024 season. At crucial moments, the Bernabéu hampered Bayern.
This win reversed all of that. By winning 2-1 at Real's home, Bayern created significance beyond a simple victory. They broke past patterns and erased psychological inferiority.
The timing is even more important. It was the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. The result itself directly affects qualification for the next round. By winning at the toughest away ground, Bayern set a footing to carry an advantage into the second leg.
Ultimately, this victory is worth more than numbers. Twenty-five years, nine winless matches, a 15-match disadvantage. All unfavorable data were overturned in one game. It was the moment the word "jinx" ceased to mean anything.
Now the stage moves to Allianz Arena. But the momentum has already shifted to Bayern. The "invincible at home" myth Real took pride in has also cracked.
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