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It seemed as if Harry Kane’s stoppage-time goal for Bayern Munich on Wednesday was nothing more than a consolation – but it could mean so much more to the Bundesliga.
The England captain netted in the 94th minute to earn a 1-1 semi-final second-leg draw against Paris St-Germain, but it was the Ligue 1 side who went through to the Champions League final 6-5 on aggregate.
The draw could prove to be absolutely crucial in the battle to gain one of the two European Performance Spots (EPS) – the extra places in the Champions League based on each country’s overall performance in Europe.
The Premier League is way out in front and claimed one of the two places a month ago.
But the battle for second has gone right down to the wire between the Bundesliga and La Liga.
Kane’s goal earned Germany 0.412 points towards its coefficient score. That might not seem like much, but in such a close battle it could prove to be the difference.
How Germany could seal the extra place on Thursday
La Liga (21.781) sits in second going into the second legs of the Europa League and Conference League semi-finals on Thursday.
The Bundesliga (21.357) is just 0.424 points behind. In real terms, that is a win and a draw.
Going into Thursday’s games, each league has one team left – Freiburg for Germany and Rayo Vallecano for Spain.
Freiburg must overcome a 2-1 deficit at home to Braga, while Rayo Vallecano take a 1-0 lead to Strasbourg.
This is how Kane’s goal could help to decide it.
If Freiburg beat Braga and go through to the final, they will add 0.428 to Germany’s score.
And if Rayo Vallecano lose in France, La Liga score nothing and it would be unable to finish above the Bundesliga.
In this scenario, Germany would confirm second place by just 0.00446 of a coefficient point.
Without Kane’s goal, Germany would be 0.13889 behind Spain.
There are a few other scenarios for the EPS on Thursday.
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If Rayo Vallecano win, Spain are assured of the extra place regardless of Freiburg’s result
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If both teams go out, Spain get the additional place
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If both go through with Rayo Vallecano drawing, it goes down to the finals
In Germany, there is a three-team battle for fourth place between Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart and Hoffenheim. All three are on 58 points with two games to go. Without the EPS, only one will get into the Champions League.
La Liga has a clearer picture, with Real Betis on their own in fifth, six points clear of Celta Vigo with four games to play.
Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.
