Bayern win thriller to reach semis

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. Mbappé made it 4-4 on aggregate just before half-time, but Luis Díaz and Michael Olise turned things around late in the game to send Bayern into the last four.

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.

Scorching first half

Bayern suffered an early setback 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 pinpoint corner inviting Pavlović to head home. 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. Neuer made a strong save to deny Mbappé before Trent Alexander-Arnold made a block against Díaz. Neuer denied Fede Valverde and Olise saw a shot saved.

More chances came and went for Upamecano, Olise and Kane, with Eduardo Camavinga sent off for a second bookable offence in the closing stages. Díaz found the net with the help of a deflection to make it 5-4 on aggregate, with Olise’s fine curler in added time sealing Bayern’s berth in the last four.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Sunday when they entertain Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. Munich take on Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, with the first leg in Paris to be played on 28 April.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen