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Bayern Munich Secure Victory Over Real Madrid in Seven-Goal Champions League Thriller
The Champions League knockout stages delivered yet another night of unforgettable drama, featuring the fastest goal of the season, a seven-goal spectacle, two red cards, and the exit of the competition’s 15-time champions amidst controversy.
“If the start of this game is anything to go by then we are in for a hell of a night,” remarked former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports, as Real Madrid’s Arda Guler scored just 35 seconds into Wednesday’s quarter-final second leg at Bayern Munich, leveling the tie at 2-2.
Despite holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Madrid, Bayern conceded early as Guler capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, setting the stage for a captivating return fixture at the Allianz Arena.
Guler’s strike was the quickest in this season’s competition and was followed by four more goals in a frenetic first half.
A chaotic finish saw Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga sent off with four minutes remaining, allowing Bayern to score twice late and secure a 4-3 victory on the night and a 6-4 aggregate win, propelling them into the semi-finals.
Controversy ensued after the final whistle as Real Madrid expressed their frustration over Camavinga’s dismissal for a second yellow card related to time-wasting. Additionally, Guler, who had been substituted, received a straight red card for confronting referee Slavko Vincic on the sidelines.
“The story of the night is the last five minutes,” noted former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman. “What a game and what an evening.”
Real Madrid set for rare trophyless season – will Arbeloa pay the price?
Late goals send Bayern into semis after Real thriller
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‘What a start!’ – Guler scores in opening minute after ‘nightmare’ from Neuer
Real Madrid faced a daunting task against a Bayern Munich side that had won 18 of their 20 home games leading up to Wednesday’s match.
However, boasting 15 titles and a wealth of world-class talent, the Spanish giants, as the competition’s most successful team, remained confident in their ability to turn the tie around in Munich.
They may not have anticipated the early gift they received when Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a critical error in the opening seconds.
Under minimal pressure, the 40-year-old’s clearance went straight to Guler, who promptly curled a left-footed shot into the unguarded net.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart noted that Neuer had been “faultless” in the first leg, with his outstanding performance at the Bernabeu fueling calls in the German media for his return to the national team.
“Even a 40-year-old Neuer is one of the best keepers in the world and certainly the best in Germany,” European football expert Raphael Honigstein told BBC Radio 5 Live. “How can it be that he will not go to the World Cup? There is a lot of talk in Germany at the moment.
“He is good, but he is not quite at his best anymore, which is natural.”
That was perhaps reflected in the return tie.
Since the 2003-04 season, Neuer has made 14 errors leading to a goal in the Champions League – at least four more than any other player in that period.
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Kane’s 50th goal of the season puts Bayern back in front on aggregate
However, the early mistake did not prove decisive, and it may have contributed to the exhilarating first half that ensued.
Real Madrid’s lead was short-lived, as Aleksandar Pavlovic headed in Joshua Kimmich’s corner from close range just five minutes later, leaving goalkeeper Andriy Lunin stranded.
This marked the earliest instance of both teams scoring against each other in a Champions League knockout stage match.
A third goal arrived in the 29th minute, with Guler and Neuer involved again as Guler’s sublime free-kick was pushed into his own net by the Bayern keeper after he arrived late.
Subsequently, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, two of the world’s premier strikers, joined the scoring.
Kane curled in a fine finish for his 50th goal of the season, leveling the score at 2-2 and giving Bayern a 4-3 aggregate lead, before Mbappe slotted past Neuer just before half-time to restore parity in the tie.
The half-time whistle brought a moment to catch our breath after a breathless opening.
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Mbappe rounds off blistering counter to bring Real level on aggregate again
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How Bayern’s wingers took the game to Real Madrid
The second half struggled to match the intensity of the first, with the decisive moments compressed into the final few minutes.
As extra time loomed, substitute Camavinga was sent off after receiving two yellow cards within 24 minutes of his introduction. The first was for a foul on Jamal Musiala in the 78th minute, and the second for delaying a Bayern free-kick following a foul on Kane.
The red card proved costly, as the hosts capitalized on their numerical advantage.
Luis Diaz struck in the 89th minute to put Bayern ahead 5-4 on aggregate, before Michael Olise sealed the victory in stoppage time.
With Guler also dismissed in the aftermath, Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa conceded: “With the red card everything was over.
“It’s unbelievable to send off a player for this action. It’s not possible in a player like that, match like that. We feel all of this is a bit unfair.”
Looking ahead to the semi-final against holders Paris St-Germain, Bayern boss Kompany said: “The boys were mentally strong to recover from setbacks.
“The fans helped us as well. We stayed calm and always felt that our moment would come. The boys deserved this win.
“We showed absolute belief and will to fight our way back into the game.”
Gerrard, a Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005, described the match as “an incredible game of football, end-to-end, fascinating tactical approaches”.
“Extra time was looking likely, but one moment of madness, indiscipline and silliness has cost Real the chance of getting to the last four,” he added.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told Match of the Day: “Both teams were brilliant going forward, but defensively both have been poor.
“If you want to win the Champions League, can you play like that? It is going to be fascinating to see how that pans out when Bayern face Paris St-Germain.”
Bayern Munich are aiming to win the Champions League for the first time since 2020
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