The unthinkable has happened! The Spanish giants – Barcelona and Real Madrid – crash out of the Champions League after the semi-final second legs in Spain!
The first leg in Germany ended in a 2-1 result for the German side with Mario Gomez bagging the game winner in the dyeing moments of the game after Mesut Ozil temporarily equalised for the Merengues.
All Real Madrid needed is a 1-0 win to advance to the final; Bayern needing only a scoreless draw. But, the Germans are always tough competition especially with the motivation of playing at home in the final.
Luck was swinging in Madrid’s direction as David Alaba of Munich handled the ball in the box in the 6th minute. Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and converted the penalty. 1-0 Real Madrid! 2-2 on aggregate.
Ronaldo was not done yet as he doubled Los Blancos’ tally with a second goal in the 14th minute, giving Real Madrid a 2-0 lead in the game and 3-2 on aggregate. He has scored 10 goals in 10 matches in this year’s edition of the Champions League and a whopping 42 goals in La Liga. Stupendous!
Bayern now needed a goal to equalise and to force extra time. Lo and behold, their prayers were answered in the 27th minute! Dutch international, Arjen Robben popped in the aggregate equaliser from the penalty spot as Mario Gomez was pushed in the area by Real defender Pepe. 3-3 on aggregate!
It ended 2-1 at the end of regulation and needed extra time to decide the encounter. After the added 30 minutes, the match terminated with no goals poached by either side. Off to the dreaded PKs we go!
The Germans were up first and sent 19-year old Austrian youngster, David Alaba who converted successfully. 1-0 Bayern!
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo remarkably had his penalty saved. Still 1-0 Bayern!
Mario Gomez was up next and converted with ease putting Bayern up 2-0!
Second half Madrid substitute, Kaka, placed the ball low and firm but was also stopped by Manuel Neuer – the Bayern ‘keeper. Still 2-0 Bayern at this point!
Kroos side-footed his effort but was directed low and was stopped easily by Iker Casillas. It remained 2-0 Bayern!
Next was Spanish playmaker, Xabi Alonso, who converts and finally puts the Merengues on the scoreboard. 2-1 Bayern!
Bayern captain, Philipp Lahm had the chance to put the Germans up by 2 goals but failed to penetrate the goal line as he was denied by a comfortable save by the Madrid No 1. 2-1 Bayern!
Here it is! Madrid’s final chance. Sergio Ramos steps up to take it. He runs, stutters, runs again, winds up, and……blasts it over the net! 2-1 Bayern!
It all comes down to Bayern’s last shot. None other than German-born Bastian Schweinsteiger is chosen to shoot last. If Casillas stops it, Real has a chance to tie. If it is converted, the Germans go through. Schweiny steps up and drives the ball high and to the right leaving Casillas no chance as he dives the wrong way! 3-1Bayern!
This result sets up a Bayern Munich v Chelsea final at the Allianz Arena in Germany on May 19.
The Spanish giants are out! Who would have thought?!
…and that’s the last word!
