In a thrilling encounter, Real Madrid staged a late rally to overcome Bayern Munich 2-1, booking their ticket to yet another Champions League final.

 

In another enchanting evening at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Real Madrid has once again secured their place in the Champions League final.

The 14-time European champions orchestrated yet another remarkable comeback on Wednesday, overturning a deficit to triumph 2-1 over Bayern Munich and advance to the final for the second time in three seasons.

As has been the case so often in 2022, Madrid relied on late heroics to secure their passage. Joselu found the net in the 88th minute and then again in stoppage time, propelling Madrid to a 4-3 aggregate victory and setting up a final showdown against Borussia Dortmund on June 1 in London.

Reflecting on the dramatic win, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remarked, “It's happened again, just as it has so many times before. It's inexplicable. The fans who spur us on, the fantastic stadium, and players who never lose belief — it's simply something magical.”

Despite Bayern taking the lead through an Alphonso Davies goal in the 68th minute, their hopes were dashed in stoppage time when what appeared to be an equalizer was disallowed due to an offside call. Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel lamented the decision, describing it as “disastrous” and “against the rules.

Joselu's opening goal came from a tap-in after Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer fumbled what should have been an easy save. The second goal was initially disallowed for offside but was ultimately awarded following a video review.

"You always dream of being part of moments like this," expressed the 34-year-old Joselu. "Not even my best dreams were as good as this."

This will mark Madrid's record-extending 18th European Cup final and their ninth in the Champions League era, also setting a record. Madrid's last final appearance in 2022, where they defeated Liverpool, was emblematic of a season characterized by numerous late comebacks, much like the one witnessed on Wednesday.

During that campaign, Madrid delivered thrilling comebacks at the Bernabeu against Manchester City in the semifinals, Chelsea in the quarterfinals, and Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

Six-time European champions Bayern Munich had hoped to return to the final for the first time since claiming the title in 2019-20. However, their loss meant there would be no rematch of the all-German final in 2013, where Bayern triumphed over Dortmund to secure their fifth European title.

"It hurts. It'll take a while to recover, but on the one hand, it's a loss where we left it all out on the pitch," lamented Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel. "Of course, it's tough to accept. It's part of reality. No regrets."

Meanwhile, Dortmund, the 1997 European champions, secured their spot in the final by eliminating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on aggregate on Tuesday.

The match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich was largely evenly contested, with Madrid creating the most significant scoring opportunities. However, they were repeatedly thwarted by an outstanding performance from Neuer, who made a series of impressive saves to keep Bayern in contention.

Nevertheless, the German international faltered in the final minutes, spilling an easy ball after a shot by Vinícius Júnior, which allowed Joselu, who came off the bench in the 81st minute, to equalize from close range.

"Manu, who had been exceptional in saving us all night, made a mistake he wouldn't make in another 100 years," remarked Tuchel.

Expressing his disappointment, Neuer said, "Anyone who's ever played football knows how I'm feeling right now."

"That we've been knocked out in the closing stages, having led 1-0 until the 85th minute, it's extremely bitter," he lamented. "We'd taken one step to London, we saw ourselves in the final, and now I'm lost for words."

Joselu, a German-born striker, then broke the deadlock for Madrid a minute into stoppage time following a cross from Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger from the left side.

Initially, the linesman raised the flag for offside, leading to a moment of uncertainty before Madrid players and the crowd at the Bernabeu erupted in celebration of the decisive goal.

Bayern expressed loud grievances at the match's conclusion after a goal by Matthijs de Ligt was disallowed because the referee had blown the whistle for offside without allowing the play to unfold fully.

De Ligt revealed that the linesman apologized to him, admitting he "made a mistake" by raising the flag prematurely without allowing the play to continue.

Earlier in the match, Davies, who had come on in the 27th minute to replace the injured Serge Gnabry, had given Bayern the lead by outmaneuvering Rüdiger in a one-on-one situation. He then cut back toward the middle of the area before unleashing a right-footed shot into the far corner, beating Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Madrid briefly thought they had equalized a couple of minutes later, but the goal was overturned after video review due to a foul by defender Nacho Fernández on Joshua Kimmich.

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