Díaz and Olise strike late as Bayern march past 10-man Real Madrid
| Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images. |
In what was yet another thrilling Champions League night at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich claimed a vital 4-3 win to marched past quarter-final rivals Real Madrid. The 6-4 aggregate scoreline ensures the Bavarians will face Paris St.Germain for a place in the final in Budapest.
The pre kick-off choreo in the Südkurve read 'everything in our hands' but that evaporated within 37 seconds when Real Madrid pulled ahead on the night and level on aggregate. Manuel Neuer's careless pass fell straight to Arda Güler who controlled and converted from range into a gaping Bayern goal.
To the relief of Vincent Kompany's side, who looked slightly nervy, they regained control of the tie five minutes later. A powerful corner delivery from Joshua Kimmich was steered beyond Andrei Lunin at the near post. At the other end, Konrad Laimer had to be alert to the danger, denying Kylian Mbappé's effort.
Bayern built up some steam nearing the midway point in the half, with Kimmich zipping one off Lunin's reaching right glove. However, momentum swung back to the Galacticos as Laimer fouled Brahim Diaz. Up stepped Güler once more, dispatching in a delightful free-kick for 2-1 despite Neuer getting a tame hand to it.
The goals continued to flow as momentum swung over and back. Dayot Upamecano fed a ball into Harry Kane who swivelled to find the bottom-right corner. In an amazing first half, Real Madrid regained the lead once more on the break. Vinicius Junior made space for Mbappé to slot beneath Neuer for 3-2.
Having been booked before the interval, Josip Stanišić made way for Alphonso Davies to commence the second-half. Bayern assumed dominance once again as Luis Díaz was kept out by a crucial Jude Bellingham block. With everything on the line for both sides, the tempo of the game dropped noticeably.
After the hour mark, Bayern replaced Serge Gnabry with Jamal Musiala while Real Madrid introduced Eduardo Camavinga, allowing Valverde to drift into Brahim's vacant right wing slot. Diaz spurned a gilt-edged chance minutes later as Trent Alexander-Arnold read his plans, meanwhile Valverde tested Neuer.
Further drama ensued late on as substitute Camavinga was sent off for two yellow-card fouls in the space of eight minutes. That would set up the grand slam finish as Musiala and Díaz combined for the latter to plunge the ball inside the right post for parity on 88 minutes.
With the numerical advantage there and Los Blancos chasing the game on aggregate, space was plentiful for the Bavarians. Olise rushed forth, skipped inside and capped the night off with a curling strike which nestled in Lunin's net with the aid of the post. With it, a place in the semi-final stage against PSG.
