Karl and Gnabry spark Bayern to comeback win over Sporting

Serge Gnabry, the rejuvenated forward, along with young striker Lennart Karl, played key roles in Bayern Munich's thrilling 3-1 turnaround victory against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Bayern found themselves behind due to an own-goal by Joshua Kimmich in the middle of the second half, facing the prospect of back-to-back defeats in Europe, but Gnabry and Karl netted swiftly to shift the momentum towards the hosts.

Gnabry assisted Jonathan Tah for a decisive late strike, securing the full points for Bayern and elevating them to second place in the league phase table, trailing Arsenal only on goal difference.

At just 17 years old, Karl etched his name in history as the youngest scorer in three straight Champions League matches.

Even in defeat, the Portuguese title holders hold ninth position in the 36-team standings with two fixtures left to play.

The top 24 teams advance to the knockout stage, while the leading eight proceed directly to the last 16.

Bayern's manager Vincent Kompany shuffled his lineup with seven alterations, bringing back Harry Kane, Gnabry, Karl, Manuel Neuer, and Tah, who had been given a break during the weekend clash with Stuttgart to prepare for this encounter.

This season, Bayern tops the scoring charts among Europe's elite five leagues and came perilously close to breaking the deadlock early on.

Karl's effort in the fifth minute was disallowed for offside, and Kane struck the woodwork around the 30-minute mark. Before halftime, Kane, Karl, and Gnabry all drew spectacular saves from Rui Silva.

Sporting's clearest opportunity in the first period arrived when Geny Catamo delivered an accurate cross that Tah nearly turned into his own goal, prompting a sharp reaction save from Neuer.

Another mishap from Bayern handed Sporting the lead shortly after the restart, as Kimmich unfortunately diverted a Joao Simoes delivery past the stranded Neuer with 54 minutes on the clock.

This setback ignited Bayern, who responded emphatically by scoring twice within four minutes to seize control.

Gnabry, free at the far post, finished off a corner from Michael Olise to restore parity. Moments later, Karl seized a pass from Konrad Laimer and rifled the ball into the net from a narrow angle after spinning away from defenders.

Thirteen minutes from time, Kimmich and Tah atoned for their earlier lapses by linking up for Bayern's third goal, aided by Gnabry's involvement.

Kimmich floated a curling delivery towards Gnabry, whose header set up Tah to nudge the ball over the line.

In the final three minutes, Kompany substituted Gnabry with Alphonso Davies, marking the Canadian skipper's return to action following his ACL injury in March.