Late Joselu brace sends Real back to Champions League Final at Bayern’s expense

• Macdara Ferris
• Wed, May 08 2024




With two minutes to go in the Santiago Bernabéu it looked like Bayern Munich would book a berth at this season’s Champions League final in Wembley against Borussia Dortmund.

However, in a dramatic conclusion to Wednesday’s semi-final second leg, the 14 times European champions Real Madrid  scored twice through substitute Joselu.

The winner came a minute into second half injury time – with a long VAR delay for confirmation.

Alphonso Davies had given the visitors the lead in the 68^th minute, putting the German side 3-2 ahead on aggregate before a Manuel Neuer error opened the door for the comeback.

The Bayern keeper couldn’t hold Vinícius Júnior’s shot and Joselu was on hand to tap it home.

Rüdiger was then the supplier for the winner for Joselu with VAR needed to confirm the player, who was born in Stuttgart, wasn’t offside.

The late drama meant Real return to the European Cup final for the 18^th time.

What a few days it is for Real Madrid as they won the La Liga title for the 36th time over the weekend after Barcelona lost 4-2 at Girona, a result that left Madrid 13 points clear at the top with only four matches remaining.

Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde (Joselu 81), Kroos (Modrić 69), Tchouaméni (Camavinga 69); Bellingham (Militão 90+10); Rodrygo (Brahim Díaz 81), Vinícius Júnior

Bayern: Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui; Laimer, Pavlovic; Sané (Kim 76), Musiala (Müller 85), Gnabry (Davies 27); Kane (Choupo-Moting 84)

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— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) May 8, 2024