Real Madrid managed a crazy turnaround to reach the final of the Champions League. With two goals from Joselu in the final phase, the Spaniards secured a 2-1 home win against Bayern Munich.
The hero of the evening: Joselu shoots Real Madrid into the final of the Champions League with two late goals.
Susana Vera / Reuters
(sda) Bayern will probably have bad memories of the Champions League final against Manchester United in 1999. Within a few minutes in the final phase, the Germans lost a 1-0 lead that would have been enough to get them into the final. Striker Joselu, who came on as a substitute in the 81st minute, scored for Real Madrid in the 88th and 91st minutes. Bayern Munich had previously looked like the winner of this spectacular semi-final after Alphonso Davies’ goal in the 68th minute.
Neuer makes a mistake, Joselu benefits
Manuel Neuer, of all people, became a tragic figure. The Bayern goalkeeper, who had held up outstandingly until shortly before the end, made two mistakes before the 1-1 score, first his throw landed on the opponent and seconds later he let a shot from Vinicius Junior ricochet forward, from which Joselu benefited. After that, nothing was the same: Bayern Munich completely lost control and fell under the wheels of the now unleashed Madrid team. The receipt: Joselu scored to make it 2-1. The goal had to be confirmed by VAR; the two-time goalscorer was only just not offside.
Real Madrid’s victory, as dramatic as it was, was deserved. Bayern Munich needed some luck and all of Neuer’s skill to stay without conceding a goal for almost 90 minutes. Real Madrid were better in many respects, attacked with speed and had the outstanding outfield player Vinicius Junior in their ranks. The Brazilian played left-back Joshua Kimmich dizzy at times. Almost every acceleration by the 23-year-old led to a dangerous action.
Davies puts Bayern in the lead
An individual action from Alphonso Davies then turned the game on its head. The Canadian let Antonio Rüdiger out in the 68th minute and hit the far top corner of the goal with his weaker right foot. It was one of the very few dangerous actions by the Germans.
Real Madrid offered significantly more. Neuer had to intervene several times. In the 13th minute he directed a shot from Vinicius onto the post with his fingertips, and later he made two strong saves against the winger. He also defused a free kick from Rodrygo. Thanks to their captain, Bayern were able to hope for a lucky punch for a long time – it is all the more dramatic that Neuer finally made the decisive mistake.
On June 1st there will not be the second all-German final in the Champions League after 2013, but rather the first final duel between Dortmund and Real Madrid. Madrid are aiming for their 15th title at Wembley, Dortmund their second.