Lennart Karl has done it again: the 17-year-old not only scored a remarkable goal in FC Bayern’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to FC Arsenal – he also made history. With his second goal in his second Champions League appearance, Karl became the youngest player ever to score a goal in each of his first two Champions League games. 17 years, 277 days – a mark to be proud of.
Nobody was surprised that Karl was also in the starting eleven for the top clash at the Emirates Stadium after his gala against Freiburg. The U21 international is developing rapidly under Vincent Kompany, playing with a naturalness that is exceptional for his age. And in London, Karl also showed the mixture of courage, pace and technical precision that has made him indispensable in recent weeks. In the 32nd minute, he finished off a finely played attack to make it 1:1.
A record that underlines his development
17 & 277 – Lennart Karl is the youngest player in UEFA Champions League history to score in each of his first two starts (17 years, 277 days). Elite. pic.twitter.com/hYYIEmEp45
– OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 26, 2025
Karl’s second Premier League goal is far more than just a statistical milestone. It shows how seamlessly the teenager has slotted into Munich’s attacking structure – between stars like Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry and Michael Olise. The left-footer is not a supplementary player, he is a fully-fledged factor.
In total, Karl has already made 13 competitive appearances this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists – figures from a player who has long since arrived. He could benefit further in the coming weeks, particularly in the Champions League. Due to Luis Díaz’s suspension, Kompany will be missing important options in the games against Sporting Lisbon and Union Saint-Gilloise – Karl’s starting eleven, on the other hand, seems set.
His market value is also developing rapidly. Transfermarkt already values him at 20 million euros – a figure that is likely to rise quickly if his performances in the Champions League continue. After all, there are few players in Europe who can deliver so consistently at this level at this age.
Despite the defeat, London was an evening full of lessons for Bayern – and one of them is that Lennart Karl is here to stay. In an attacking ensemble that is otherwise carried by established stars, the 17-year-old’s carefree attitude, pace and wit provide a new impetus.