Bayern win thriller to reach Champions League semi-finals

FC Bayern beat Real Madrid 4-3 on Wednesday night to advance to the Champions League semi-finals. Arda Güler bagged a brace in the first half, with Aleksandar Pavlović and Harry Kane levelling twice. Kylian Mbappé made it 4-4 on aggregate just before half-time, but Luis Díaz and Michael Olise struck in the closing minutes after Eduardo Camavinga was sent off to give Bayern victory on the night and send them into the last four with a 6-4 aggregate win.

Munich started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Konrad Laimer in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Olise, Serge Gnabry and Díaz, with Kane up front. Alphonso Davies replaced Stanišić at half-time, with Jamal Musiala coming on for Gnabry on the hour.

Breathless first half

The tone for the game was set after just 30 seconds when Güler intercepted Neuer’s pass and found the empty net from distance. Bayern went looking for an equaliser and Kane fired over, but they soon levelled the scores, Kimmich’s corner being nodded in by Pavlović. Munich were dominant, but Real were dangerous throughout and Mbappé fired wide.

Vincent Kompany’s men saw a number of shots blocked and Kimmich drew a strong save from Real keeper Andriy Lunin, but the away side restored the lead on the night when Güler’s free-kick found the top corner of the net via Neuer’s fingertips. Gnabry saw an effort saved before Upamecano set up Kane, who beat Lunin. Vinícius Júnior hit the bar but soon squared for Mbappé to slot in and make it 3-2 for Real on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

Late winner

Díaz’s deflected shot went wide just after the restart, with Upamecano miscuing a header as the tempo dropped a little but chances continued to flow. Neuer made a strong save to deny Mbappé before Trent Alexander-Arnold made a block against Díaz when through on goal. Neuer saved from Fede Valverde and Olise had his effort tipped over.

More chances came and went for Upamecano, Olise and Kane as Bayern pushed. They were handed a numerical advantage when Camavinga was sent off for a second bookable offence in the closing stages. Díaz made that count when he found the net with the help of a deflection to make it 5-4 on aggregate. Olise’s fine curler in added time sealed back-to-back Bayern wins over Real and a berth in the last four against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Sunday when they entertain Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. The semi-final first leg in Paris will be played on 28 April.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen