MUNICH — In a thrilling conclusion to the match, Alphonso Davies delivered a moment of celebration for Bayern Munich as he scored a crucial goal that propelled the team into the knockout stage of the Champions League. The Canadian wing back found the back of the net in the dying seconds, precisely in the fourth minute of stoppage time, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Celtic. This outcome, combined with Bayern’s 2-1 victory in the first leg, solidified their position with an aggregate score of 3-2, thus avoiding the stress of extra time.
Reflecting on his goal, which marks just his second in the Champions League, Davies expressed, “It was instinct. I’m happy to get another one.” At just 24, he has recently reaffirmed his commitment to Bayern by signing a contract that will keep him with the club until June 2030. After scoring, he kissed the Bayern crest on his jersey, an emotional gesture that pointed towards his connection with the team and perhaps hinted at the prolonged negotiations that characterized his contract extension, which had left some uncertainty regarding his future at the club.
Davies’ previous contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the current season, and discussions had been ongoing for some time. In March, Max Eberl, Bayern’s board member for sports, stated that the club had made its final offer to the talented player, who had also attracted interest from prominent clubs like Real Madrid.
Ultimately, Bayern and Davies reached an agreement on a new contract reportedly worth around 20 million euros ($21 million) annually for the player. The significance of his goal extends beyond just personal achievement; it also yields financial benefits for the club, bringing in an additional 11 million euros ($11.5 million) in prize money from UEFA for advancing to the last 16.
“That’s the Champions League,” Davies commented. “We played against a strong Celtic team. They play with a lot of intensity. We’re happy to go through. It’s not easy. We’re playing so many games.” As Bayern looks ahead, they will find out on Friday whether their next challenge in the last 16 will come against Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid. Before that, the team prepares to face a formidable Eintracht Frankfurt at home in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
