MADRID: Real Madrid staged an impressive comeback against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final on Wednesday, with Joselu scoring twice in the dying minutes to win 4-3 on aggregate.
Alphonso Davies fired the German giants into the derby in the second half, but 14-time champions Madrid hit back with Joselu netting in the 88th and 91st minutes.
Spanish champions Real Madrid face fellow German team Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley on June 1 after defeating the so-called “black animal”.
“It was magic, there is no explanation,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti enthused after another electric night in the Spanish capital.
Journeyman striker and back-up Joselu wrote his name into Madrid’s history books with a late substitute and another night to remember the returning kings of Europe.
Madrid enjoyed the better moments of the game, but Davies’ superb strike looked set to set up a repeat of the 2013 All-German final in London.
Instead, Joselu steered Bayern to their first cup season since 2012, with his first goal coming after a mistake by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had kept Madrid out until then.
“(Before that) there was world-class save after world-class save, but it can happen, that’s football,” Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt said.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel made three changes from the first leg, including veterans Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka, but the hosts dominated the early stages.
Neuer produced a brilliant double save to keep Madrid’s noses in front, Vinicius Junior’s electric effort saved before Rodrigo finished.
Bayern’s Sir Serge Gnabry was replaced by Davey before England captain Harry Kane’s first threat, but Andriy Lunin drove a fierce volley over the post.
Neuer saved Vinicius’ free-kick as the teams finished a high-energy, consistently spirited first half.
In the second half, Davey’s cross flew into the roof of Looney’s goal.
Vinicius was unplayable down Madrid’s left and Rodrigo produced a painfully low cross from the far line.
Neuer, 38, produced a brilliant save to deny the Brazilian forward before Brazil took the lead.
However, just like in Munich, when Los Blancos were at their strongest, Bayern retreated.
Canadian international Davies cut in from the left and slotted past Looney into the top corner after 68 minutes.
Madrid thought they had scored a moment through Nacho, but after a VAR review, defender Joshua Kimmich grabbed his face before shooting.
Tuchel took Kane in the closing stages to continue his winning streak in pursuit of the first trophy of his career, but he slipped through his fingers as Madrid created unforgettable memories in Europe.
