Real Madrid stuns Bayern to reach CL final

MADRID (Reuters) – Real Madrid showed it remains Europe’s comeback kings as Joselu’s late double rescued it from the brink of elimination to reach the Champions League final with a dramatic 2-1 second-leg win over Bayern Munich at Santiago Bernabeu late Wednesday night.

A 4-3 aggregate victory sealed Real’s progress to a remarkable sixth final in 10 years and it will bid for a record-extending 15th title against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1.

In a repeat of its spectacular semifinal comeback win over Manchester City two years ago, Real saw its opponent take the lead after Bayern substitute Alphonso Davies fired home a stunning strike from a counter attack in the 68th minute.

But Joselu came off the bench to equalize following an error from Manuel Neuer in the 88th minute and, two minutes later, he shinned a second into the Bayern goal from a Antonio Ruediger cross.

The effort was first ruled out for an apparent offside, but the goal was given following a VAR check.

Real dominated proceedings, but misfired with several chances as a gritty Bayern put its domestic woes aside to almost eliminate the Spaniards in their own back yard.

But Joselo’s first tally recharged a raucous Santiago Bernabeu under its spectacular new roof and two minutes later Real worked some European magic again, snatching a deserved winner that fired the Spanish giant into another Champions League final.