Bayern comes through Real Madrid thriller to face PSG

BERLIN, CHINA | Xinhua | Bayern Munich reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals after edging Real Madrid 4-3 in a chaotic quarterfinal second leg at the Allianz Arena to complete a 6-4 aggregate victory and set up a meeting with defending champion Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

The German record champion had taken a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, but that cushion disappeared after just 36 seconds. Manuel Neuer misplaced a pass from Joshua Kimmich, allowing Arda Guler to strike first-time from 30 meters into the empty net.

Bayern responded almost immediately. Kimmich swung in a corner and Aleksandar Pavlovic headed home from close range in the sixth minute after Andriy Lunin failed to deal with the delivery.

Real moved back in front before the half-hour mark when Guler curled a free kick from 24 meters into the top corner after Konrad Laimer fouled Brahim Diaz. Bayern restored parity in the 38th minute as Dayot Upamecano picked out Harry Kane, who drilled a precise low finish past Lunin.

The tie remained level on aggregate only briefly. Vinicius Junior first hit the bar, then Kylian Mbappe finished from close range in the 42nd minute after being set up by the Brazilian, putting Real ahead for a third time on the night.

After the break, Bayern pushed forward while Madrid dropped deeper. Neuer denied Mbappe with an outstanding reflex save from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, while Michael Olise and Diaz both tested Lunin.

The decisive turning point came late in the game. Eduardo Camavinga, who came on in the 62nd minute and was booked in the 78th, was sent off seven minutes later for a second yellow card after handling the ball to stop a quick Bayern restart.

Bayern took full advantage. Diaz struck from 17 meters in the 89th minute to make it 3-3, before Olise scored the winner in stoppage time. Bayern will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the last four of the competition.

“We were involved in a lot of drama and did not start the way we had hoped. Before the match, we knew both teams had the quality to go through. The first half had a lot to offer, the second was calmer, but the last five minutes had everything in them. I do not think we played our best game today, but I am looking forward to the two matches against PSG,” said Kimmich. ■

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