Real Madrid through as Bayern see off Sevilla
Real Madrid’s dream of winning a third straight Champions League title is still alive after narrowly seeing off Juventus 4-3 on aggregate despite a 3-1 second-leg quarter-final loss yesterday.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late penalty to help Los Blancos, who have won three of the past four editions, make their commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg count and turn back a valiant comeback attempt from Juve.
However, the enthralling match was full of anxiety for the home side as Max Allegri’s men nearly duplicated the feat performed by Serie A brothers Roma, who overturned a 4-1 first-leg loss to Barcelona on Tuesday night.
And the visitors stated their intent just seconds after the opening whistle, taking advantage of some slack Real defending to give their hopes of an improbable comeback early life.
In the second minute, Mario Mandzukic guided his header across Keylor Navas and into the gaping net after a curled Sami Khedira cross found him free from Dani Carvajal at the back post.
Also yesterday, Bayern Munich returned to the semifinals of the Champions League for the seventh time in nine seasons, advancing 2-1 on aggregate after a goalless draw at the Allianz Arena.
Sevilla returned to the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time in 60 years after knocking out Manchester United with a round-of-16 victory at Old Trafford, but their luck ran out against the recently crowned Bundesliga champions.
Still, much of the first 30 minutes belonged to Sevilla, who had three solid chances within a five-minute span, including a shot by Pablo Sarabia in the 15th minute that deflected off of Jerome Boateng’s arm and, a minute later, one from Joaquin Correa that was grabbed by Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.
Bayern’s best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute, when Arjen Robben set up Franck Ribery at the top of the penalty area, only for Ribery’s shot to be punched away by Sevilla goalkeeper David Soria.