How Kane goal could earn Germany extra Champions League spot

Breaking news from the world of sport: How Kane goal could earn Germany extra Champions League spot Figure caption, Late Bayern pressure not enough as PSG return to Champions League finalByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished11 minutes agoIt 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.

Match Details

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. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Harry Kane scored in both legs of Bayern Munich's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

How Germany could seal the extra place on ThursdayLa Liga (21. 781) sits in second going into the second legs of the Europa League and Conference League semi-finals on Thursday. 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.

Reactions and Expectations

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.

There are a few other scenarios for the EPS on Thursday. If Rayo Vallecano win, Spain are assured of the extra place regardless of Freiburg's resultIf both teams go out, Spain get the additional placeIf both go through with Rayo Vallecano drawing, it goes down to the finalsIn 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.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.