Bayern Munich dominate semi-final but exit Champions League to Real Madrid
Bayern Munich fell short in their bid to reach the UEFA Champions League final as they succumbed to defeat at the hands of two-time holders Real Madrid for the second season running.
Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern Munich (agg 4-3)
Goals: 0-1 Kimmich (3'), 1-1 Benzema (11'), 1-2 Benzema (46'), 2-2 James Rodriguez (63')
Bayern could hardly have got off to a better start at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Joshua Kimmich – who got the Bavarians' goal in the 2-1 first-leg defeat – stroked in from close range following a Thomas Müller cross. However, Real were back on level terms within eight minutes, as Karim Benzema got away from David Alaba to nod in Marcelo's fine cross to the back post. Jupp Heynckes' side were combining well and continued to look dangerous coming forward, but as in the home leg they lacked cutting edge in front of goal, with Müller, Robert Lewandowski and James Rodriguez all squandering chances. The hosts were happy to hit on the counter, with Sven Ulreich doing well to block a Marcelo cross, while at the other end Corentin Tolisso steered an effort just wide. Bayern felt they should have had a penalty for a Marcelo handball on the stroke of half-time, but the referee was unmoved as the sides went in level at the break.
If Bayern had made a dream start to the first half, the beginning of the second was an absolute nightmare as Ulreich completely misjudged a Tolisso backpass, allowing Benzema to steal in and stroke the ball into an empty net. The visitors were on the ropes and Cristiano Ronaldo could have delivered a knockout blow, but he blazed a close-range volley over from Marcelo's cross. It was game on again as Niklas Süle crossed for James, who swept in against his parent club at the second time of asking. Keylor Navas then produced a fine save to deny Tolisso, who was replaced by Sandro Wagner in the closing stages. Süle produced a huge block to prevent Ronaldo getting a shot away when through on goal, while Müller almost snuck a header in at the near post. Bayern threw the kitchen sink at the holders in stoppage time, but Mats Hummels headed wide as Real held on to win 4-3 on aggregate, eliminating the Bavarians from the competition for the third time in five years.
Match stats
- Bayern have now been knocked out of the Champions League by Spanish opposition in each of the last five seasons – and three times by Real (2014, 2017, 2018).Kimmich has had a direct hand in seven goals for Bayern this season in 11 Champions League outings (4 goals, 3 assists).James became the first Colombian in Champions League history to score for three different teams.The Bayern playmaker is also the seventh player to have scored both for and against Real in the competition.Ronaldo made his 152nd Champions League appearance, a record for an outfield player.In 25 head-to-head meetings, Bayern have won 12, Real 10, with the teams drawing three times.
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Line-ups
Real: Navas - Vasquez, Varane, Ramos (c), Marcelo - Modric, Kovacic (Casemiro 73'), Kroos - Benzema (Bale 72'), Asensio (Nacho 88'), Ronaldo
Unused subs: Casilla, Theo, Mayoral, Ceballos
Absentees: Carvajal (hamstring), Isco (shoulder)
Coach: Zinedine Zidane
Bayern: Ulreich - Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Alaba - Tolisso (Wagner 74'), James (Martinez 84') - Müller (c), Thiago, Ribery - Lewandowski
Unused subs: Starke, Wagner, Martinez, Rafinha, Mai, Rudy, Dorsch
Absentees: Neuer (foot), Vidal (knee), Coman (ankle), Boateng (groin), Robben (thigh)
Coach: Jupp Heynckes
As it happened!