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Bayern Munich handed UEFA Champions League runners-up Tottenham Hotspur their worst-ever home defeat at the European stage by obliterating them by 7-2.
In a rip-roaring start to the game, the hosts, who had no idea what would transpire over the course of 90 minutes, drew first blood through Son Heung-Min in the 12th minute. Joshua Kimmich remarkably equalised just three minutes later with an absolute belter of a goal from distance.
Just when it looked like both teams would head for the restart with an even score line, Robert Lewandowski exemplified his marvellous form by turning and putting his side ahead on the cusp of half time.
What followed then, was madness. In the space of just three minutes, Serge Gnabry netted a fine brace to inject a sense of melancholia among the home crowd. Spurs were, at that point in the game, staring at a demoralizing 4-1 defeat.
Harry Kane's spot kick proved to be a mere remote lifeline as three more goals in the dying stages of the encounter turned the result into a strikingly horrifying one for Mauricio Pochettino.
On that note, let's aim to break down what led to this emphatic victory from Bayern Munich against Spurs.
#3 Clinical finishing in front of goal
The hosts didn't get tight enough to Joshua Kimmich for the first goal; Moussa Sissoko could have done a lot better in terms of decision-making there. Robert Lewandowski's first too was an indication of the opposition defence going to sleep instead of staying on toes.
However, major credit goes to the visitors for having scored a whopping seven goals away from home. They had 10 attempts on target, of which seven resulted in goals.
Bayern were simply unforgiving on the night as they complemented their industrious movement with world-class finishing. Looking back at the goals, one can believe that each touch leading to the pulling of the trigger was picture perfect.
Kimmich was fantastic from 25 yards, while Lewandowski was as lethal as it gets. Serge Gnabry - the star of the show with a quadruple - exuberantly finished all his chances. Be it while spinning off the back of the Spurs' full back, or firing in the final goal of the evening - the former Arsenal man was relentless.
It took no second invitation for Lewandowski to rifle his second in, with the steal, pass from Philippe Coutinho and the finish making it appear like the visitors were three moves ahead of Spurs.
Fair to say, the German giants took almost every single chance in their favour, with both hands.
#2 Frightening movement in the final third
Bayern, courtesy of their impeccable movement down the various free zones of the pitch, made Spurs look static and flat.
The same could be explained through Gnabry's four goals. His first of course, was sensational and pulsating. But, the home side had to do a lot better there. Yet again, the movement, burst of pace and acceleration got the away crowd jumping on their feet.
The winger did exceptionally well to set off on a fine pace and leaving a lunging Serge Aurier for dead. There was still a lot left to do, and he completed his move brilliantly by beating Toby Alderweireld and launching a precise low effort on goal.
His goal two minutes later was on the back of splendid movement as well, as he rolled down the left flank to receive a steal from Tolisso and put the result beyond doubt.
The former West Brom forward once again, ran in behind the space left by Aurier to receive a clipped pass from Thiago, before drilling a composed finish for his hat-trick.
#1 The introduction of Thiago Alcantara
A few months down the line, many of us may forget the opening 30 minutes of this game - a phase when it all looked positive for Spurs, as they ran the races, moved the ball about a little better and enjoyed more fluency.
They were clearly the better side, with the physically-laden midfield trio of Sissoko, Harry Winks and Tanguy NDombele proving too muscular for the two-man pivot comprising of Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso.
It was however, all bound to change with the introduction of the effervescent Thiago Alcantara. The Spaniard ran the pace of the game, absorbed the press and brought about the idea of order and calm in midfield.
He led the play by starting attacks, showing immaculate composure on the ball and playing around Tottenham's press.
It was then of no surprise that Philippe Coutinho, who endured an indifferent evening, enjoyed far more touches than he did in the first 45 minutes.
