R Madrid 2 - 1 Bay Munich - pisilinuxworld.org

R Madrid 2 – 1 Bay Munich

Joselu was Real Madrid’s hero as the former Stoke City striker’s stunning late double completed a 2-1 comeback win over Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final via a 4-3 aggregate win.

Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern thought they were heading into the Wembley final as they led until 88 minutes through Alphonso Davies’ second-half stunner, but then Manuel Neuer, who had produced four amazing stops earlier in the game, shockingly spilled Vinicius Junior’s shot into substitute Joselu’s path to equalise.

As the Santiago Bernabeu pressure rose – and after Harry Kane had been taken off by Tuchel with the score at 1-0 to Bayern – Joselu then turned in Antonio Rudiger’s cross from close range, a winner eventually given after a VAR review of a tight offside call on the forward.

“Joselu… I don’t think he’ll be sleeping much tonight. He’ll be useless in training tomorrow!” said Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham to TNT Sports after the game.

“We’ve seen it a lot of times where it looks like we’re dead and buried. It doesn’t matter who scores the goals – someone always manages it. That mentality of never say die.

“He deserves it all – he’s been an amazing member of the squad throughout the whole season. This is his night.”

However, there was late controversy as Bayern were denied what looked like a clear equaliser deep into stoppage time when Matthijs De Ligt scored on the half-volley, but referee Szymon Marciniak had already blown for offside before replays appeared to show Bayern’s attackers in the move may have been onside.

The astonishing yet vintage Real Madrid comeback means they will meet Borussia Dortmund in the Wembley final on June 1, a result which also leaves England captain Kane trophyless from his first season at Bayern.

More to follow…