Alan Smith has had a cheeky dig at Harry Kane matching his European record, after Bayern Munich’s 9-2 win on Tuesday.
Bayern Munich thrashed GNK Dinamo 9-2 on Tuesday night, with Harry Kane scoring four of their goals.
OptaJoe highlighted afterwards that Kane was the first Englishman to score four goals in a Champions League or European Cup match since Alan Smith for Arsenal against FK Austria Wien in 1991.
But Smith hit back on Twitter, saying simply: “I didn’t need penalties though.”
I didn’t need penalties though 😄 https://t.co/q9ARvvDSXO
— Alan Smith (@9smudge) September 18, 2024
It’s certainly true that Kane had a lot of help with his four-goal performance. The striker scored three penalties on the night, none of which he won himself.
Aleksandar Pavlovic won the first after a trip, Eric Dier won the second as his header was blocked by a hand, and Alphonso Davies won the third after his foot was stood on.
By contrast, all of Smith’s four goals against Austria Wien came in open play, so he remains the last Englishman to score four in a Champions League or European Cup match without penalties.
You can watch all four of Smith’s goals and the rest of the highlights from that 6-1 win here.