Real Madrid snatch stunning win over Bayern Munich to reach final
Real Madrid secured a sensational semi-final win with two late goals, overcoming Bayern Munich to arrange a Champions League final showdown with Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern appeared poised for the final when Alphonso Davies drilled a powerful shot past Andriy Lunin, following a brilliant assist from England captain Harry Kane.
However, the match turned in the 88th minute when Joselu pounced on a fumbled save by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had been stellar until that point, to level the score.
The drama intensified two minutes later when Joselu, formerly of Stoke City, converted from close range off a pass from Antonio Rudiger. The goal was initially ruled offside but was overturned after a VAR review, confirming Joselu was onside. This decision ignited jubilant celebrations at the Bernabeu as Real clinched a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Real Madrid, a 14-time European champion, is set to face Dortmund on Saturday, 1 June at Wembley.
The match was not without controversy, notably in the 13th minute of injury time when Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt thought he had extended the game into extra time. After a pass to Noussair Mazraoui led to an offside flag, several Real defenders halted, allowing de Ligt to score. TV replays suggested the play might not have been offside, necessitating a VAR check. Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, and players, including Harry Kane and Eric Dier, vehemently protested the call.
Delight for Bellingham but heartbreak for Kane and Dier
For England midfielder Jude Bellingham, his first season at Real Madrid continues to be remarkable, and he now looks forward to facing his former team, Dortmund, in the final in London.
Bellingham, who transferred from the German club to Real in a deal worth £88.5 million in June 2023, has already secured the La Liga title with his new team and now has the opportunity to complete a prestigious double.
However, the game ended in disappointment for his England teammates Harry Kane and Eric Dier.
Kane, who has netted 44 goals for Bayern since his £86 million transfer from Tottenham last summer, saw his chance to win his first major title dashed with this defeat.
Both Kane and Dier were part of the Tottenham team that lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final.
In the first leg of this semi-final, Kane had given Bayern a 2-1 lead before Vinicius Jr leveled the scores at 2-2 with his second goal of the match in Germany.
The return leg at the Bernabeu was charged with an electric atmosphere. Real nearly took an early lead, but Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a spectacular double save, first pushing Vinicius Jr’s shot onto the post and then blocking Rodrygo’s attempt on the rebound.
Despite being under pressure, Bayern took the lead in the 68th minute when Kane delivered a brilliant pass from the center circle to Davies on the left flank. The Canadian international cut inside and fired an unstoppable shot that seemed to seal the win.
Bayern’s manager Thomas Tuchel, who is set to leave at the end of the season, substituted Kane with five minutes remaining, just before Joselu turned the game on its head.
Joselu capitalized on a rare mistake by Neuer and scored again three minutes later, securing an incredible victory for Real Madrid.
Player of the match: Joselu