Real Madrid advance to Champions League final in spectacular fashion once again in 2-1 win over Bayern Munich

Two late goals from Joselu broke Bayern Munich hearts at the Santiago Bernabeu

It's just what Real Madrid do. In the 88th minute of their semifinal with Bayern Munich they seemed bound for defeat. Three minutes later they were off to Wembley.

Joselu, the Espanyol loanee once of Stoke City, is the latest addition to the annals of Madrid history, turning his first three touches off the bench into two goals that broke the resolve of visitors, who seemed to be holding on with grim determination after Alphonso Davies' stunning opener.

Just when you thought Bayern had Real Madrid-ed Real Madrid, though, Carlo Ancelotti's men struck back with unbelievable inevitability. It was a familiar script flipped somewhat. 

After all, for an hour it seemed that they would make it to their 18th Champions League final by sheer weight of quality rather than the mythic powers of their jersey. The goal might not have come, but Vinicius Junior was breezing past Joshua Kimmich at will, asking everything of the Bayern rearguard with his cutbacks. The Brazilian hit the post midway through the second half while Manuel Neuer, performing as well as he has at any stage in his 36 years, denied Rodrygo on the rebound.

The Madrid front two kept finding themselves denied by Neuer, whose best save saw him acrobatically palm a Vinicius shot to safety after Kimmich and Matthijs De Ligt had been left staring at shadows.

At the other end, Bayern's semi-frequent breakaways were let down by clumsy final passes, but it only took one to pay off for them to claim the lead in the Santiago Bernabeu. That ground may be Davies home next season but he did little to ingratiate himself to Madrid supporters when he claimed Harry Kane's pass and flew at Antonio Rudiger. The German responded in the way most defenders would, showing the Canadian onto his weaker right foot only to see that boot bend a quite superb shot beyond Andriy Lenin.

Within four minutes Madrid thought they were level when substitute Luka Modric worked a corner short to Federico Valverde, his shot cannoning through the penalty area, off Davies and into Neuer's net. VAR quickly intervened, however, Nacho deemed to have shoved Kimmich in the face.

Tuchel responded to the ascendancy as he so often does, tightening things up and withdrawing Kane, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane in quick succession. Neuer had proven for 88 minutes that he could be trusted to hold Madrid at bay but Vinicius' shot bounced awkwardly in front of him. He couldn't hold on and Joselu pounced.

The pressure was far too much for Bayern to bear. It initially looked like Joselu had slipped offside to meet Rudiger's cross along the six yard box but he had judged it to perfection, tapping in at close range. About the only criticism you could level at him was that he might have applied the coup de grâce too soon for purely narrative purposes.

Either way, Bayern knew the jig was up. Their first trophyless season in over a decade. Madrid will be overwhelming favorites to add the 15th European Cup to the Santiago Bernabeu when they face Borussia Dortmund next month.

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[May 8, 2024 at 2:59 pm ET · James Benge]

FT - Real Madrid 2, Bayern Munich 1

• 90' - Joselu strikes again after a VAR check
• 88' - Joselu pounces on Neuer error to level up the tie
• 68' - Davies' stunning strike gives Bayern the lead
• 59' - A string of brilliant Neuer saves keep Madrid at bay
• The sides drew 2-2 in first leg at Allianz Arena
  

[May 8, 2024 at 5:01 pm ET · James Benge]

FT - Real Madrid are through to another Champions League final

Did you ever doubt it? Bayern are fuming at a late offside that was incorrectly flagged by the assistants but it's all too late for the Bavarians. There'll be no trophy for them this season.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:57 pm ET · James Benge]

Can Bayern go out swinging?

There's more time than initially signalled but Bayern have robbed themselves of all their most dangerous attackers. Kimmich stands over a deep free kick late on... and pumps it straight into Lunin's arms. There's only two more minutes left now.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:48 pm ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- Madrid are back from the dead

It's onside! Joselu at the double and Madrid might just be bound for Wembley.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:48 pm ET · James Benge]

It's in the net again for Madrid!

Bayern are clinging on through nine minutes of added time. They've got no forwards -- Kane, Musiala, Sane among those who have been withdrawn -- and their defenders aren't repelling the pressure. A cross drops into the Bayern box and comes to Rudiger. He drives the ball across goal and Joselu turns it in but he's offside... isn't he? 

[May 8, 2024 at 4:46 pm ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- A howler from Neuer

Oh no! Just as Bayern looked to be holding firm we're bound for extra time. Neuer's throw is intercepted by Modric, giving Madrid another chance to attack with two minutes plus added time to go. They work it to Vinicius, as they always do, and he punts at goal. It bounces up awkwardly but you'd still expect one of the great goalkeepers of his generation to hold on. Instead he spills it and Joselu is on hand to poke home the rebound.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:40 pm ET · James Benge]

Bayern looking strong but it only takes an instant

They've tightened up their system since the opener, Kim being introduced to give them a back five that should offer more muscle in defense. They're so good at controlling the game when they're in the lead and even force a corner off Madrid, Kim rising highest to meet it and thump it off the bar. It wouldn't have counted anyway as Mazraoui was impeding Lunin.

Bayern might look more robust but there are so many technical wizards in Madrid colors that they can charm open any defense. A great ball over the top by Rudiger finds Vinicius but he meets it on the half volley, turning the ball over the bar from close range but an awkward spot technically.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:30 pm ET · James Benge]

VAR review -- no goal

And rightly so I must say. Replays show that Nacho was pushing Kimmich in the face. It doesn't take long to rule that out.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:29 pm ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- Bayern's lead didn't last long... or didn't it?

Madrid respond to their deficit by bringing on Modric for Kroos. Immediately that call looks to be vindicated as the No.10 rolls a low corner to the edge of the box. Valverde's shot takes a deflection and rolls in but Bayern are incensed and Kimmich is down on the floor, holding his head. We're getting a VAR review.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:25 pm ET · James Benge]

GOAL -- Davies picks quite the moment for his first UCL goal

Stunning! What a goal from the Canadian! Kane drops deep and fires the ball out wide to the left, where Davies is one on one with Rudiger. The German does what you'd probably do if you were up against Davies, showing him onto his right foot only to see him bend a magnificent shot into the far corner. Lunin didn't have a chance!

[May 8, 2024 at 4:19 pm ET · James Benge]

Yet more smart Neuer saves

Bellingham draws a free kick in a dangerous area and Rodrygo gets it up, down and over the wall. Neuer, however, is rolling back the years and springs across to his right to parry it. That one is good but the next one, soon after Musiala wastes a counter attacking chance, is stunning. Vinicius flies by Kimmich and by De Ligt, the ball sitting up wonderfully for him to smack at goal. He does exactly that but Neuer will not be beaten, flinging his right arm up to push the ball to safety.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:10 pm ET · James Benge]

Kimmich is getting cooked

There's no shame in having no answer for Vinicius, which ought to be a relief for Kimmich, who has no answer for Vinicius. He maybe could help himself by guiding the winger towards his support defender Sane but he doesn't and instead Vinicius is flying down the left byline yet again. He only needs to get one of those cutbacks right but he hasn't so far.

Oh and then he does it again in the 55th minute, drawing De Ligt across and driving a pass into the box. This time it meets a Madrid boot but Rodrygo can only flick the ball through Dier's legs and wide of the far post.

[May 8, 2024 at 4:04 pm ET · James Benge]

We go again

And just as the first half began with Vinicius flying away down the left so does the second, the No.7 breezing away from Kimmich to the byline. Valverde is charging forward to turn in the cutback but Dier gets his positioning spot on to clear. Not long after Davies is attacking the penalty area, forced wide but driving at goal, the ball deflecting wickedly off Carvajal but not into the net.

[May 8, 2024 at 3:49 pm ET · James Benge]

HT - All square in the Bernabeu

A half where Bayern weren't exactly overwhelmed but were certainly second best against a Madrid side who created one particularly good opening, drawing a double save from Neuer in the 12th minute. There are odd openings for the Germans on the break but so far the final pass just been lacking (and arguably the one right before as well).

[May 8, 2024 at 3:41 pm ET · James Benge]

More brilliance from Neuer

Vinicius whips one of those deliveries into the corridor of uncertainty from the left, just begging for a touch from Rodrygo. He doesn't get to the ball, which looks to be bending into the far post before Neuer hurls himself towards it to flick the ball out for a corner. Bayern clear the first and another just after but really what pressute pressure there is is on their goal right now.

[May 8, 2024 at 3:33 pm ET · James Benge]

Hammer blow for Gnabry

The No.7 had looked bright early on but his night has come to a premature end with what looks like being his fifth injury of the season. Alphonso Davies takes his place.

[May 8, 2024 at 3:25 pm ET · James Benge]

Bayern's midfield is looking strong

If Tuchel hadn't made such a fuss about his midfield options since the day he arrived he might still have a job for next season but, after all the grief over Goretzka and Kimmich, the manager has been vindicated so far tonight. Pavlovic is showing real invention with his passing while Laimer is continuing his excellent run of form in this competition, a titan of industry across the pitch.

[May 8, 2024 at 3:15 pm ET · James Benge]

Somehow Madrid don't score

As Bayern are complaining about two balls being on the pitch (one way away from danger in the other half) Carvajal is slipping the ball into the box and Vinicius picks it up in space. He spins and strikes, the ball smashing against the inside of the post. Rodrygo is seemingly on hand for the rebound but Neuer is live to the danger, getting a glove to the shot. He might have got a fingertip to Vinicius' effort too!

[May 8, 2024 at 3:10 pm ET · James Benge]

Real openings for both sides

Beautiful build up through midfield by Bayern, Pavlovic slicing through the Madrid lines before the ball is worked to Musiala. He finds Gnabry in plenty of space down the left. Kane is waiting at the back post but it's a prime position to shoot too. It seems that the German can't decide which option is best and he ultimately delivers neither, a cross shot right in between his center forward and the goal.

Madrid had spurned a similar chance a few minutes earlier, getting through down the right but without their cross finding anyone. This is looking like quite an open game.

[May 8, 2024 at 3:07 pm ET · James Benge]

Kroos dropping deep

And I mean deep, the German is effectively the third man in the back three in build up, stood to the left of the anchoring Nacho so that he can get on the ball and set the tempo. Twice he has looked to spray passes in behind the Bayern defense towards Vinicius but more crucial early on has been his diving intervention to stop a Kane through ball when Tchouameni had given the ball away. If he hadn't done that then Sane was away.

[May 8, 2024 at 3:01 pm ET · James Benge]

Kick off

Away we go and immediately Sane undercooks a pass back to Kimmich, freeing Vinicius to fly down the left. It's all Bayern can do to concede a corner, the Brazilian winger whipping the crowd up before Kroos puts the ball into the box. Bayern clear.

[May 8, 2024 at 2:57 pm ET · James Benge]

The teams are on their way out

Kick off is moments away as Bayern and Madrid take their place in front of a quite spectacular looking Bernabeu.

[May 8, 2024 at 2:49 pm ET · James Benge]

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe

We have our first Conference League finalist, Fiorentina surviving pressure away to Club Brugge before Lucas Beltran's late goal earned them a spot in the final for the second year in a row. They'll be bidding to go one better than last year when they were beaten by West Ham (and perhaps hoping that another English representative in claret and blue don't make it to Athens with Aston Villa two goals down against Olympiacos after the first leg).

[May 8, 2024 at 2:40 pm ET · James Benge]

Pressure on the Bayern defense

Can Thomas Tuchel's side avoid the basic mistakes they made last week at home? Jamie Carragher breaks down what they got wrong in our video below:

[May 8, 2024 at 2:24 pm ET · James Benge]

Stat attack

• Real Madrid are looking to reach a record 18th European Cup/UCL final whilst Bayern are trying to get there for a 12th time.
• Bayern have failed to win in their last 8 UCL games v Real Madrid (D2 L6) - and failed to win any of their last 7 games against them at the Bernabeu (D1 L6)
  
• Real Madrid are unbeaten in the UCL this season (W7 D4) - each of their last 4 games have been drawn - the first time they've ever drawn 4 consecutive European Cup/UCL games.
• Real Madrid have never gone 12 games unbeaten in a single UCL campaign before. 
  
• Bayern have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 16 UCL games v Real Madrid - their longest run against an opponent in European Cup/UCL history
• Bayern have failed to win each of their last 2 UCL away games - they last went 3 away games without a win in a single campaign in 2015-16. 
  

[May 8, 2024 at 2:14 pm ET · James Benge]

Tuchel drops the big guns

No great surprises in that Madrid XI, though it's notable that Nacho has earned Ancelotti's trust when the option of dropping Tchouameni deeper or starting Eder Militao was available to him. Really though the big talking points come in a Bayern side that has no room for Goretzka, too often overrun in the first leg. Guerreiro came into the side in the second half at the Allianz Arena but instead it is young tempo setter Pavlovic who gets to start from the off.

Meanwhile Davies is not trusted at left back, where Mazraoui keeps his place for the first leg, and there's no room for Muller, though that is less of a surprise given Gnabry's availability.

[May 8, 2024 at 1:54 pm ET · James Benge]

Confirmed teams

Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Valverde, Kroos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
Subs: Courtois, Arrizabalaga, Eder Militao, Modric, Camavinga, Joselu, Lucas Vazquez, Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Brahim, Guler

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, De Ligt, Mazraoui; Laimer, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Subs: Peretz, Ulreich, Upamecano, Kim, Goretzka, Choupo-Moting, Zaragoza, Davies, Muller, Tel

[May 8, 2024 at 1:48 pm ET · James Benge]

A big night for Thomas Tuchel

Not since Ernst Happel took Hamburg to the European Cup final in 1983 has any coach been able to say they have brought three separate teams to the biggest night in European club football. That is the opportunity that lies ahead for Thomas Tuchel tonight, a beaten finalist with Paris Saint-Germain in 2020 and champion with Chelsea 12 months later. It would be quite a way to sign off his tenure at Bayern Munich, leading them to a seventh Champions League win. 

[May 8, 2024 at 1:30 pm ET · James Benge]

Time for picks

Here's how our experts (and yours truly) see this game playing out. It seems no one is all that optimistic about Bayern's prospects. Below, meanwhile, Francesco Porzio highlights the key factors in this matchup.

One matchup to watch: Rodrygo vs. Kim Min-Jae – This will likely become the key matchup of the game, considering that most of the pressure on the visitors will be on the defensive side of the the ball. In the first leg, Bayern Munich had many chances to score the first goal, but Real Madrid managed to get the most out of their first shot thanks to the defensive issues of the German side. 

Most likely to score a goal: Jude Bellingham – He has already scored 22 goals in 38 games so far this season, including four in nine Champions League matches. Despite that, Bellingham's work isn't done and he now must make another impact in the second leg of his first UCL semifinal against Bayern Munich. He's yet to score his first goal in the elimination rounds, and what better opportunity to do it? 

Man of the Match pick: Vinicius Jr. – Speaking of players that usually make an impact, Vinicius Jr. is the leading candidate for the MVP of the game, after scoring a brace in the first leg of the semifinal and especially after scoring 21 in 35 matches up to now. He's the face of this team and the player everyone is expecting to make the difference at such stages. 

Match prediction: Real Madrid 2, Bayern Munich 1 – Despite the incredible performance of Thomas Tuchel's team in the first game in Munich, playing against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu the second leg is always the last thing you want to do in this sport. This is why I'm expecting Carlo Ancelotti and his team do it once again. 

[May 8, 2024 at 1:10 pm ET · James Benge]

What happened in the first leg

Bayern Munich started much brighter at the Allianz Arena but, in a fashion that would be drearily familiar to their supporters this season, a clumsy error at the back allowed Vinicius Junior to net with Madrid's first touch in the opposition penalty area. 

Thomas Tuchel's side built pressure as the contest wore on and looked the dominant side early in the second half. Leroy Sane's rocket brought them level before Jamal Musiala drew a foul from Lucas Vazquez, Harry Kane putting the hosts ahead from the penalty spot.

Madrid would not be beaten, however, and Min-jae Kim capped off a disastrous night by hauling down Rodrygo. Vinicius drew the visitors level from the spot in the 83rd minute and neither side looked like changing the equation on the night from there on out.