Irankunda makes UEFA Youth League debut
Socceroos teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda has made a successful UEFA Youth League debut as part of a Bayern Munich team that beat Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb 2-1.
The under-19 competition is contested by clubs also competing in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League as well as the domestic youth champions of the best-ranked national associations.
Former A-League prodigy Irankunda, 18, started for Bayern in the match on Wednesday morning (AEST) before being replaced in the 71st minute with his team leading 2-0.
Les U19 débutent parfaitement en Youth League avec une victoire 2-1 contre Zagreb ! 👏🏼
Adam Aznou, capitaine et buteur.. ✨#MiaSanMia#FCBayernpic.twitter.com/O7gbyWDB6t— FC Bayern Munich - France (@FCBMFrance) September 17, 2024
It was ex-Adelaide United winger Irankunda’s second appearance for his club since returning last week from Socceroos duty in Indonesia, having also started for Bayern’s second team in a 2-2 weekend draw with Aubstadt in a German fourth-tier encounter.
Bayern’s top team was also successful in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday morning, thrashing Dinamo Zagreb 9-2, with English striker Harry Kane scoring four goals at Allianz Arena.
“It was a great game and an impressive performance from us,” Kane said.
“We pressured them from the start and took our chances.”