Bayern edge past Celtic as Milan stumble at Feyenoord in Champions League playoffs

Bayern Munich held off a late Celtic charge to secure a 2-1 win, while AC Milan suffered a costly 1-0 defeat at Feyenoord in the first leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoffs on 12 February. Elsewhere, Benfica overcame a ten-man Monaco side, and Club Brugge clinched a dramatic late victory over Atalanta.

Bayern withstand Celtic fightback

Bayern Munich took control of their tie with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Celtic Park but were forced to dig deep in the closing stages after Daizen Maeda pulled a goal back for the hosts.

Michael Olise struck a stunning opener on the stroke of half-time, latching onto Dayot Upamecano's cross before curling a powerful shot into the top corner. Harry Kane doubled the lead just four minutes into the second half, left unmarked at the back post to volley in from Joshua Kimmich's corner. The goal made him the first English player to reach 60 goals in UEFA club competitions.

Celtic had earlier seen a goal ruled out in the first minute for offside, and they finally found their breakthrough in the 79th minute when Maeda nodded in from close range. The Scottish side piled on the pressure in the final minutes, and Bayern needed a crucial stoppage-time save from Manuel Neuer to take their advantage back to Germany.

"We had to stay strong at the end," Kane admitted. "It's a tough place to come, but we scored at the right times."

Feyenoord capitalise on Maignan error to beat Milan

A goalkeeping mistake from Mike Maignan handed Feyenoord a 1-0 win over AC Milan in Rotterdam, giving the Dutch side a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg.

Igor Paixao's speculative effort from the left wing after just three minutes should have been a routine save, but Maignan allowed the wet ball to slip through his gloves, gifting the hosts the lead. The Brazilian winger remained a constant threat, coming close to a second before half-time with a curling strike that brushed the crossbar.

Milan struggled to create clear chances, though Rafael Leao twice came close before the interval. The visitors pushed harder in the closing stages, but Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther denied Samuel Chukwueze's long-range drive to preserve the lead.

"We can turn it around," said Milan's Kyle Walker, who made his Champions League debut. "We have to learn from tonight."

Benfica edge ten-man Monaco

Benfica took a step closer to the last 16 with a 1-0 victory at Monaco, who were reduced to ten men early in the second half.

Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal in the 48th minute, lifting the ball over goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki with a delicate chip. Minutes later, Moatasem al-Musrati picked up a second yellow card, leaving Monaco a man down.

The home side struggled to respond, with Majecki making a crucial save to deny Pavlidis from adding a second, but they rarely threatened an equaliser. Benfica, who won 3-2 at Stade Louis II in the group stage, remain unbeaten against Monaco in European competition.

"There's still the second leg, and we have to stay positive," Monaco's Breel Embolo said.

Late penalty hands Brugge win over Atalanta

A controversial stoppage-time penalty gave Club Brugge a 2-1 home win over Atalanta in a dramatic first leg.

Brugge took the lead in the 15th minute through Ferran Jutgla, who finished neatly after being set up by Chemsdine Talbi. Atalanta responded just before half-time, with Mario Pasalic heading in a cross from Davide Zappacosta.

The game looked set to end in a draw until stoppage time when Isak Hien was penalised for a soft foul on substitute Gustaf Nilsson. The Swedish forward stepped up to convert from the spot, securing Brugge a crucial win despite protests from the visitors.

Atalanta, who finished ninth in the competition's league phase, must overturn the deficit in the return leg next week if they are to reach the last 16, where the winner will face Lille or Aston Villa.