Feyenoord staged one of the most impressive upsets of the UEFA Champions League this season, trouncing the mighty Bayern Munich 3-0 on January 22, 2025, at their home ground in Rotterdam. This remarkable performance not only showcased Feyenoord's tactical acumen but also left Bayern grappling with their recent inconsistency.
The match kicked off with high expectations for the Bavarian giants, who boasted several world-class players like Harry Kane and Kingsley Coman. Nevertheless, it was Santiago Giménez who stole the show. The Mexican forward scored both of his team's early goals, sending shockwaves through the Bayern defense. The first came at the 21-minute mark when Giménez intercepted a poorly defended ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, establishing Feyenoord's 1-0 lead.
Despite dominating possession and racking up over 30 shots, Bayern failed to capitalize on their scoring chances, with many of their attempts being thwarted by Feyenoord's goalkeeper, Justin Bijlow. Highlighting the mismatch between the two squads' fortunes, Bijlow received praise for his stellar performance, making several key saves to keep the visitors at bay.
Feyenoord doubled their lead just before halftime when Giménez converted a penalty kick awarded after a foul on teammate Kelvin Stengs by Bayern's Rafael Guerreiro. The spot-kick, taken at the 45-plus-9 minute mark, underscored the Dutch team's efficient execution of opportunities—Giménez delivered a precise shot to the bottom left corner, leaving Neuer little chance to react.
With the score at 2-0 heading back onto the pitch for the second half, Bayern Munich intensified their attack, aiming to claw back the deficit. Yet, every effort was met with sturdy resistance from Feyenoord’s backline, coupled with exceptional goalkeeping from Bijlow. Harry Kane and Leroy Sané were among the Bayern players who came close to scoring, but their chances either ended up wide of the goal or were expertly blocked by Feyenoord.
The final dagger came shortly before the match concluded. Ayase Ueda netted the third goal for the hosts at the 89-minute mark, sealing the emphatic victory, which came from another counterattack after Bayern had pressed for their elusive goal.
This unexpected win catapulted Feyenoord to 13 points, overtaking Bayern Munich, who remained at 12 points after suffering their third loss of the Champions League campaign.
Post-match reactions highlighted the struggle for Bayern. "Bayern attempted more than 30 shots but failed to score," noted Championat.com, reflecting on the team’s inability to find the net against a defensively resolute Feyenoord. The psychological impact of this game might weigh heavily on Bayern as they seek to regain form and momentum as the tournament progresses.
On the other hand, this triumph is set to provide heartening momentum for Feyenoord as they prepare for the next round of fixtures. Bringing together their solid home support and newfound confidence, the Rotterdam side looks set to continue their push for progression within the tournament.