Kimmich header lifts Bayern past Arsenal into Champions League semifinals
| Joshua Kimmich. | Photo: Granada, CC-by-SA 4.0 |
Bayern Munich are through to the semifinals of the Champions League after beating Arsenal 1-0 at the Allianz Arena and 3-2 on aggregate.
Joshua Kimmich scored the winner in the 63rd minute, heading home a fantastic cross from Raphael Guerreiro, who was playing on the wing in the absence of the injured Serge Gnabry.
The first half was an even contest with both teams largely keeping each other at bay.
The closest Bayern came to breaking the deadlock in the first 45 minutes was when Jamal Musiala fired a shot from outside the area that David Raya parried away in the 24th minute.
At the other end of the pitch, Manuel Neuer made a fine save from a Martin Ødegaard shot and was later called into action to keep out a Gabriel Martinelli effort from close range.
Bayern came out on the front foot after the break and came agonizingly close to opening the scoring with a double chance just after the restart. Leon Goretzka hit the woodwork with a header before Raphael Guerreiro slammed a shot onto the post.
Then, in the 63rd minute, Joshua Kimmich sent the home crowd into a frenzy as he powered a header past David Raya. Raphael Guerreiro patiently crossed for the Germany international, who made no mistake in an unmarked position.
The visitors never recovered from the setback, with Bayern cruising to victory without allowing Arsenal any real chances for the remainder of the game.
Musiala came close to putting the game out of Arsenal's reach late on, but could only direct his shot at David Raya as Bayern went on to maintain their 1-0 lead to win 3-2 on aggregate.
After Borussia Dortmund booked their semifinal ticket against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, Germany now have two teams in the last four of Europe's top club competition.
Bayern will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the semifinals, with that game going into extra time at the time of writing.
