Santi Giménez Scores Double as Feyenoord Stuns Bayern in Champions League

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Mexican striker Santiago Giménez delivered a stunning performance, scoring twice to lead Feyenoord to a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night at De Kuip stadium. The win kept Feyenoord’s hopes alive for a top-eight finish in the competition.

Giménez opened the scoring in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Bayern’s Kim Min-Jae. A precise cross from Gijs Smal found Giménez, who fired a powerful left-footed shot past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The Mexican striker doubled the lead just before halftime, converting a penalty after a foul by Bayern’s Raphaël Guerreiro.

Bayern, despite dominating possession, struggled to break through Feyenoord’s disciplined defense. Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow was instrumental, making several crucial saves, including a spectacular stop against Harry Kane in the 43rd minute. “Bijlow was phenomenal tonight,” said Feyenoord coach Brian Priske. “He kept us in the game when Bayern was pressing hard.”

The German giants made multiple substitutions in the second half, introducing Serge Gnabry and Aleksandar Pavlović, but failed to find the back of the net. Feyenoord’s counterattacks remained dangerous, with Giménez nearly completing a hat-trick in the 54th minute, only to be denied by Neuer.

With this victory, Feyenoord moved to 13 points in the group stage, while Bayern remained on 12. Both teams are still in contention for a spot in the knockout rounds, but Feyenoord’s win has added pressure on the Bavarians. “We knew this was a must-win game,” said Giménez. “The team worked hard, and I’m happy to contribute with the goals.”

The match was briefly halted in the opening minutes due to smoke from flares lit by fans, but resumed after a short delay. Feyenoord’s performance was a testament to their resilience, as they held off one of Europe’s most formidable teams. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany acknowledged the challenge, stating, “Feyenoord played with great intensity. We need to regroup and focus on our next match.”

Giménez’s double marked his third and fourth goals in this Champions League campaign, making him the fourth Mexican player to score against Bayern in the competition, joining Hugo Sánchez, Raúl Jiménez, and Marco Fabián. The 23-year-old striker has now scored in three consecutive Champions League matches, solidifying his reputation as one of the tournament’s rising stars.