Ismaël Saibar featured as a second-half substitute in a dramatic 3-3 draw between Bayern Munich and Norwegian side Viking, with the German giants recovering from a two-goal deficit before being denied victory in the closing minutes.
The Moroccan midfielder started on the bench and entered the match at half-time, with Bayern trailing 2-0 at the Lise Arena in Norway. His introduction came as the Bavarian side looked to turn around a difficult first-half performance and keep their Champions League campaign on track.
Bayern Fight Back After Difficult First Half
Bayern endured a frustrating opening 45 minutes as their Norwegian hosts capitalised on their opportunities to establish a commanding advantage.
Trailing by two goals at the interval, the German side needed a response after the break. They found it through their prolific English striker Harry Kane, who struck twice in quick succession in the 54th and 60th minutes to bring Bayern level.
The comeback gathered further momentum in the 71st minute when Colombian forward Luis Díaz scored Bayern's third goal, completing a remarkable turnaround and putting the visitors in front.
Late Equaliser Denies Bayern Victory
Just as Bayern appeared to have completed the comeback, Viking delivered another twist. The Norwegian side found the net in the 90th minute, rescuing a point and leaving the visitors frustrated after their second-half revival.
The contest also featured a significant disciplinary moment when Bayern forward Michael Olise was sent off in the 73rd minute, forcing the German side to continue with ten men. Saibari had received a yellow card earlier in the match and was eventually substituted for Japanese defender Hiroki.
Despite Bayern's three-goal response, the late equaliser meant neither side could claim all three points.
Saibari Gains Champions League Minutes
For Saibari, the appearance provided another opportunity to feature on Europe's biggest club stage. Introduced at a crucial moment, the Moroccan international experienced a match that demanded intensity and composure as Bayern attempted to recover from their early setback.
Bayern will take encouragement from their ability to score three times after the break, although conceding so late will leave questions about their ability to protect a lead, particularly after Olise's dismissal.
The draw leaves Bayern Munich on four points, placing them fourth in the standings according to the supplied report. With the league phase continuing, every point will matter as the German giants pursue their ambitions in the competition.