Follows BVB into the final
Real Madrid vs FC Bayern – LIVE from 9pm
Real Madrid have advanced to the Champions League final with a dramatic home victory in the soccer classic against Bayern Munich! Without the injured ÖFB star David Alaba, the Spanish champions knocked Konrad Laimer's Munich side out of the top flight with a 2:1 (0:0) win in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday thanks to two late goals from "Joker" Joselu. Borussia Dortmund with Marcel Sabitzer await the "royals" in the final on June 1 at London's Wembley Stadium.
After the thrilling 2:2 first leg, "Joker" Alphonso Davies initially put Thomas Tuchel's Munich side on course for the final with a powerful shot into the far corner (68').
Bayern remain without a title for the first time in twelve years
But Joselu, who came on as a substitute in the 81st minute, deservedly fired Carlo Ancelotti's Madrilenians into the final with a brace (88th, 91st) in a furious final phase. Bayern, who remain without a title for the first time in twelve years, once again lost out in their clash with the Madrilenians after 2014 (semi-final), 2017 (quarter-final) and 2018 (semi-final).
In just over three weeks, there will be an Austrian duel, at least on paper. Sabitzer could become the sixth Austrian professional to win the most important European competition with BVB, while it would be the fourth CL title for Alaba, who has been forced to sit out since December due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
Tuchel surprisingly opts for youngster Pavlovic
In the eagerly anticipated second leg, Tuchel surprisingly opted for youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic. The 20-year-old was preferred to Leon Goretzka and played in central midfield alongside Laimer. In addition, attacker Serge Gnabry started in place of Thomas Müller, while the fit Matthijs de Ligt started in defense for Minjae Kim, who made a mistake in the first leg. For Real, only right-back Daniel Carvajal returned to Ancelotti's 4-3-3 after serving a suspension.
In front of almost 80,000 fans in the sold-out Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Real were initially the more active team. A Carvajal pass did not find a taker (6') and Gnabry did the same at the other end (8').
Real's Vinicius Jr. outstanding again
Bayern's goal was shaken for the first time in the 13th minute when a shot from an acute angle by the once again outstanding Vinicius Jr. hit the inside of the bar after being touched by Manuel Neuer's fingertips. Rodrygo's follow-up shot was also saved by the Bayern goalkeeper.
Harry Kane made a dangerous tackle for the dethroned German champions after just under half an hour, forcing Real goalkeeper Andrij Lunin into a save with a volley from the edge of the box (28'). Gnabry had left the pitch shortly before due to injury. Ancelotti's side continued to control proceedings and it was Neuer again who saved an increasingly long Vinicius cross at the last moment (40').
Davies' poor form turns the game on its head
After the break, a deflected shot from Alphonso Davies flew just over the Real goal (47'). A few centimetres later, the madridistas were only centimetres away from celebrating a Vinicius pass that Rodrygo deflected narrowly past the far corner (55'). The atmosphere in the stadium did justice to the importance of the game and both teams tried to make their mark.
Neuer was on hand to save a Rodrygo free-kick in the 59th minute and a Vinicius shot a minute later. The double goalscorer from the first leg played himself in on the left wing with Bayern right-back Kimmich time and again. But it was Davies, who had been in poor form of late, who turned the game on its head. After a long pass from Kane, the 23-year-old winger moved into the penalty area and finished with an unstoppable finish.
Joselu scores a brace for Real Madrid
The madridistas pressed for an equalizer, but a supposed goal was disallowed by referee Szymon Marciniak after viewing the video footage due to a clear push by Nacho against Joshua Kimmich.
The superior hosts were still able to celebrate after the previously outstanding Neuer made a mistake, allowing Joselu to score the equalizer after a Vinicius shot. In the 91st minute, the 34-year-old pushed a Rüdiger cross over the line to make himself a semi-final hero.
The result:
Real Madrid - Bayern Munich 2:1 (0:0)
Madrid, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, refereed by Marciniak (POL)
Goals: 0:1 (68') Davies, 1:1 (88') Joselu, 2:1 (91') Joselu
Yellow cards: Camavinga and Tuchel (Bayern coach)
Real: Lunin - Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy - Valverde (81. Joselu), Kroos (69. Modric), Tchouameni (69. Camavinga) - Bellingham (100. Eder Militao) - Rodrygo (81. Diaz), Vinicius Jr.
Bayern: Neuer - Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui - Laimer, Pavlovic - Sané (76. Kim), Musiala (85. Müller), Gnabry (27. Davies) - Kane (84. Choupo-Moting)
First leg: 2:2 - Real with an aggregate score of 4:3 in the final on June 1 in London (Wembley Stadium)
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