Real Madrid advanced to their 18th UEFA Champions League final with a late comeback win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
UEFA Champions League
Result: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (4-3 aggregate)
Date: 08 May 2024
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Bayern were boosted by the return of Matthijs de Ligt in defence as Kim Min-Jae dropped to the bench, while Alphonso Davies was once again left on the bench alongside Thomas Muller and Leon Goretzka.
Los Blancos, meanwhile, brought back the regulars after the weekend's win over Cadiz, as Thibaut Courtois dropped to the bench as Andry Lunin reclaimed the number one jersey.
The home side nearly got off to the perfect start when Vinicius Junior rattled the frame of the goal on 13 minutes, before goalkeeper Manuel Neuer produced a superb save to deny Rodrygo on the rebound.
The Bundesliga giants were dealt a blow midway through the first half as Serge Gnbary was forced off with an injury and replaced by Davies, who was deployed in a more attacking role.
There were chances at both ends as Harry Kane saw his volley on the edge of the box tipped away by Lunin, while Vinicius' inviting cross evaded everyone and needed Neuer to make a finger-tip save.
The home side were more dominant in the second spell and they nearly pulled ahead ten minutes in when Vinicius pulled the ball back for Jude Bellingham, who saw his low strike hit the upright.
However, the Santiago Bernabeu was silenced in the 68th minute when Davies latched onto Kane's long-pass before cutting onto his right and sending a powerful strike into the top corner with his weaker right foot.
Real had the ball in the back of the net four minutes later when Nacho's shot deflected into the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for the Los Blancos captain's foul on Joshua Kimmich in the box after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
With the full-time looming, Los Blancos were gifted the equaliser in the 87th minute when Neuer spilled a shot in the box, which allowed Joselu to tap home from three-yards out.
However, Los Blancos went to grab the winning goal in second-half stoppage time when Joselu completed his brace by turning home Antonio Rudiger's shot, which was confirmed by VAR after it was initially ruled out for offside.
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