Abstract: An internal combustion engine with compression-induced auto-ignition is disclosed. A reciprocating-piston engine includes at least one cylinder (1) in which a piston (2) is connected via a connecting rod to a crankshaft and movable in a reciprocating fashion in the cylinder. A cylinder head (3) is positioned over and encloses the cylinder to define a cylinder chamber (4) in the cylinder (1). The cylinder head (3) also has a compression pipe (6) which opens toward the cylinder chamber (4) and is equipped with at least one injection nozzle (5). A method for igniting fuel in an internal combustion engine is also described in which a fuel jet (7) from the injection nozzle (5) is injected, so as to avoid wetting of the inner wall of the compression pipe (6), when the piston (2) is situated in a position between 20° crank angle and 180° crank angle before top dead center.