Joshua Kimmich breaks 20-year Champions League record that felt impossible to beat

Joshua Kimmich has helped break a Champions League record that very few believed could be beaten.

Kimmich scored the opening goal in Bayern Munich's quarter-final second leg against Arsenal to put the Bundesliga side 1-0 up on the night and ahead 3-2 on aggregate.

Gabriel Martinelli failed to track the Germany international, allowing him a free header from close range to put Bayern ahead shortly after the hour mark at the Allianz Arena.

While it was a hugely important goal in the tie, it was also a significant one in the history of the Champions League.

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Kimmich's header was the 31st goal scored in this season's quarter-finals, breaking the previous record of 30.

There had been 29 goals scored heading into Wednesday's quarter-finals, courtesy of Tuesday's high-scoring games between PSG and Barcelona, and Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.

PSG came from behind to beat 10-man Barcelona 4-1 in their second leg to progress 6-4 on aggregate, while Dortmund won 4-2 in Germany to seal a 5-4 aggregate victory.

On Wednesday, Rodrygo put Real Madrid 1-0 ahead against Manchester City at the Etihad with the 30th goal in this season's quarter-finals, before Kimmich's header broke the record – which had stood since the 2003/04 campaign.

Bayern Munich have the opening goal against Arsenal and it comes from Joshua Kimmich 🫡#UCL

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yY92IdIYbm

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2024

That season, Monaco progressed past Real Madrid via the since scrapped away goals rule after the tie ended 5-5 on aggregate.

Chelsea beat the iconic Arsenal 'Invincibles' side with a 3-2 victory over the course of two legs.

Deportivo de la Coruna ran out 5-4 winners against AC Milan while Jose Mourinho's Porto beat Lyon 4-2 on their way to winning the competition.

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