Match Report: Jamal Musiala nets second-half winner as Bayern Munich beat Benfica 1-0

On Wednesday night, Bayern Munich were in Champions League action, as they hosted Benfica on matchday four. Bayern were coming into the game with two defeats from their opening three games. They managed to stop the rot here, thanks to Jamal Musiala's header, which was enough for a 1-0 win.

For the task at hand, Vincent Kompany opted for a lineup of; Neuer - Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies - Kimmich, Palhinha - Olise, Musiala, Gnabry - Kane 

After 30 minutes, Laimer dragged a shot well wide. There have not been any updates missing. That was genuinely the first shot of any note. Benfica’s ultra low block made the opening exchanges an incredibly hard watch.

Two minutes later, Kane took two Benfica players out of the game with a turn, and tested the gloves of goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Another couple minutes later, Musiala found Kane inside the box, as the striker cut onto his left foot, but his effort was tame and straight at the keeper.

With seven minutes remaining of the first-half, Gnabry really tested the wrists of Trubin, forcing a good save following a snapshot after a corner kick. That would be that, and the sides would go into the break goalless.

Jamal Musiala comes up with all-important winner for Bayern Munich

Eight minutes after the restart, Kane went on another solo run, owing to lack of other options, hitting the side netting on this occasion with a left footed effort. Soon after, Olise was withdrawn and replaced by Leroy Sané.

Just after the hour mark, a Bayern break led to Sané cutting inside and forcing Trubin to tip the ball over the bar. Not long later, a last man tackle from Kim prevented Vangelis Pavlidis from running through, as the game began to open up — finally.

Then, as the game was opened up, an in-swinging cross was headed back across the six yard box from Kane, before being headed home by Musiala, for his third header of the season.

After that, very little happened, although the control Bayern had was impressive. Despite the change in game state, they were able to keep the ball well and limit Benfica to absolutely precious little, if anything at all.

Not the prettiest game, particularly in the first-half, but after the last two results, there was only one objective tonight - win. Bayern did that. This victory leaves Kompany's side in 17th place with six points from four games, three points off an automatic qualification spot.