Real close call, but Madrid in final
Goalkeeping blunder, missed chances seal Bayern Munich’s fate
MADRID— Real Madrid stayed on track for a third consecutive Champions League title after taking advantage of a major goalkeeping blunder to see off Bayern Munich in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Madrid conceded early again but barely held on to draw 2-2 against Bayern and reach its third final in a row, 4-3 on aggregate.
Joshua Kimmich scored for Bayern in the third minute to set the stage for another comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu, like the one Juventus nearly pulled off in the quarterfinals. But the hosts reacted quickly this time, with Karim Benzema equalizing early in the first half and scoring again just after halftime after an embarrassing mistake by Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich when trying to meet a back pass into the area.
Bayern came within a goal of eliminating the European champions when former Madrid player James Rodriguez scored in the 63rd and it pressured in search of a winner until the end, but it was not enough to avoid its third elimination in a row against the Spanish club.
“We were the best team in both games but we were not able to reach the final,” Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said. “We dominated. They should thank (goalkeeper Keylor) Navas for his performance, especially toward the end of the match.” The Germans, who have now been knocked out in the Champions League semifinals in four of the last five seasons, had several good chances in the final minutes but couldn’t keep alive their hopes of a treble.
By successfully defending its 2-1 win from last week, Madrid stayed on track for a third consecutive European title and fourth in five seasons.
Europe’s most successful club with 12 trophies, Madrid will play the final against either Liverpool or Roma, who play Wednesday in Italy. Liverpool won the first leg 5-2 at home.
Kimmich opened the scoring from inside the area after Madrid captain Sergio Ramos failed to clear a ball crossed into the area by Corentin Tolisso.
Madrid reacted quickly, with Benzema equalizing in the 11th with a firm header from close range after a well-placed cross from the left by Marcelo. Benzema had scored only once in his last 12 appearances in all competitions.
The French striker put Madrid ahead again early in the second half after a terrible blunder by Ulreich after a pass into his own area from Tolisso. The goalkeeper appeared to lose his footing while trying to get to the ball and seemed to hesitate to stop it with his hands as it could have been considered a deliberate back pass, and it ended up going underneath his arm as he went to the ground. That gifted Benzema with an easy finish into an open net.
Bayern wasn’t done yet and Rodriguez equalized in the 63rd with a low shot from inside the area. Meanwhile Robert Lewandowski went a fifth straight Champions League game without a goal for the first time in his career.
Madrid is the first team to make it to three European finals in a row since Juventus from 1996-98.