In what was another iconic Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Real Madrid secured their spot in this season’s Champions League final as they snatched an astonishing 2-1 victory against Bayern Munich.
Although Los Blancos might have dominated large spells on either side of the half-time break, the home support were silenced as reported Madrid target Alphonso Davies produced a thunderous striker midway through the second-half.
However, while Munich might have been just seconds away from booking an all-German showdown for next month, it was Spanish international Joselu who spearhead an iconic comeback at the Bernabeu.
Pouncing on Manuel Neuer’s fumble in the 88th-minute and dragging Carlo Ancelotti’s side level, the former Newcastle striker then produced another famous moment as he swept home from six yards out following Antonio Rudiger’s square pass seconds after his opener.
Madrid will now be planning for another German outfit when they meet Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1st for this season’s showpiece event.
On a night when Madrid kept their dreams of a famous double-winning campaign alive, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Wednesday’s pulsating second-leg affair.
Something special about Madrid and European nights
With the Bernabeu support left stunned midway through the second-half as Davies produced a stunning strike, Los Blancos were calling on another famous Champions League miracle in the Spanish capital.
Coming from behind over in Germany last week as they left the Allianz with a first-leg 2-2 stalemate, Madrid have only further cemented their position as the most prestigious club in European football.
Breezing their way to this season’s La Liga title last weekend as they claimed a routine 3-0 romp against Cadiz, Ancelotti’s men have also taken a giant leap towards completing a famous double-winning campaign next month.
With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high and riding what has been a remarkable wave of momentum since opening the New Year, the former AC Milan boss will now have all of his attention focused on their trip to Wembley next month.
Looking to claim an historic 15th European crown when they meet Borussia Dortmund in the English capital on June 1st, Madrid are now unbeaten in all of their previous 21 appearances across all competitions.
Tuchel’s leaves Bayern with an infamous collapse
Relinquishing their Bundesliga crown to German high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen last month, it was no secret that Bayern Munich had placed all of their eggs in this season’s Champions League basket.
With it already confirmed that Thomas Tuchel will be leaving the Allianz this summer, the former Chelsea boss was desperate to sign off his one-year stay in Munich with a second Champions League title to his name.
However, dealing with some high-profile battles behind the scenes after arriving 14 months ago, Tuchel’s tenure will almost certainly be remembered for an infamous European collapse on Wednesday night.
Now officially accepting that they will end the 2023/24 campaign without a single piece of silverware to their name, Bayern’s Champions League exit will certainly hit England skipper Harry Kane more than most.
While the ex-Tottenham talisman might have enjoyed an astonishing start to life at the Allianz, Kane has still remarkably failed to collect a single trophy during his illustrious career and that wait will only go on.
Joselu writes himself into Los Blancos folklore
While the record-breaking Jude Bellingham might have continued to steal all of Real Madrid’s headlines since arriving from fellow Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund last summer, it was a former Stoke misfit who was Los Blancos’ hero on Wednesday night.
Although many around the Spanish capital were left shocked last year as Joselu joined on a season-long loan deal from Espanyol, the 34-year-old has only further cemented his spot as a fan favourite around the Bernabeu.
Coming off the bench here and bagging a famous last-gasp brace in front of an emotional home support, Joselu has now registered 17 goals across all competitions.
Now a regular part of Spain’s international set up and expected to feature for La Roja at this summer’s European Championships, Joselu has certainly written himself into Madrid folklore.
With his loan switch from Espanyol installed with a release clause of just €1.5million, there is no doubt that Los Blancos will be snapping up that minimal fee over the next few weeks.
Match Report
Real Madrid: Lunin, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrigo, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Joselu, Diaz, Modric, Camavinga, Militao
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Kimmich, de Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui, Laimer, Pavlovic, Sane, Musiala, Gnabry, Kane
Subs: Kim, Muller, Davies, Choupo-Moting
Goals: Real Madrid: Josleu (88’, 90+1’) Bayern Munich: Davies (68’)
Yellow Cards: Camavinga
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Szymon Marciniak
