Real Madrid eliminated Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final. With two goals from Joselu in the closing minutes of Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich, Real Madrid staged an incredible comeback to advance 4-3 on aggregate and advance to the Champions League final.
Alphonso Davies put the visiting German giants ahead in the second half, and Real Madrid scored again in the 88th and 91st minutes through goals from Joselu, which capped an incredible comeback.
Get ready for a showdown on June 1, as the Spanish champions, Real Madrid, prepare to take on the German giants, Borussia Dortmund, in the epic Wembley final. This clash comes after Real Madrid’s stunning triumph over their long-standing rivals, whom they often refer to as their ‘black beast’.
Joselu, a true team player, etched his name in the history books for Madrid with his sensational brace, a performance that every fan can be proud of.
Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid, remarked, “There have been many occasions when we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die.”
“Joselu earned it all; he has been an outstanding player this season.”
Although Madrid dominated the game, Davies’ incredible goal appeared to have set up a rematch of the all-German London final from 2013.
Experienced Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka were benched as Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first match.
After missing the first leg due to suspension, Dani Carvajal made his Madrid debut and played a significant role as the home team dominated the first half.
The Spanish defender skillfully set up Vinicius Junior with a pass that nutmegged a defender, and Manuel Neuer pushed the Brazilian’s shot against the post. Rodrygo Goes was inches close to completing Carvajal’s low cross.
Rodrygo got the rebound, but his attempt was feeble, and Neuer could extract it with a last-ditch arm move to complete a fantastic double save.
Before Harry Kane presented his first real threat, Davies replaced the injured Serge Gnabry for Bayern.
The England captain attempted a devastating long-range volley, but Madrid custodian Andriy Lunin was alert to block it around the post.
At the end of an intense and always tense first half, Neuer palmed away a free-kick from Vinicius.
Just as tense was the second half, with Davies’ cross deflecting onto Lunin’s goal’s roof.
Down Madrid’s left, Vinicius was unplayable, and Rodrygo sent a low cross that went agonizingly wide of the far post.
Before the hour mark, as Madrid took control of the game and increased the pressure, the 38-year-old Neuer made incredible stops to deny both Brazilian strikers once more.
But Bayern struck when Los Blancos were at their best, just like they did in Munich.
After 68 minutes, Kane found Davies, who cut inside from the left, and the Canada international blasted a shot past Lunin into the far top corner.
Nacho appeared to have tied the score for Madrid a few moments later, but a VAR review disqualified the goal because the defender had grabbed Joshua Kimmich’s face before firing.
In an attempt to keep the win, Tuchel substituted Kane in the closing minutes, but Madrid created more unforgettable memories in Europe, and the game slipped away from him.
After a seemingly straightforward strike from Vinicius, which Neuer had been at his best until now, mishandled, Joselu gleefully bundled home from close range.
As Bayern faltered, Madrid scored a decisive victory once more. Once again, Joselu—the striker on loan from Espanyol, a team in the second division—turned the ball home after Antonio Rudiger had cut it back to him.
After a review, referees overturned the offside ruling, allowing Madrid to try for their 15th Champions League championship after nearly 15 minutes of stoppage time.
Credit: The daily star
