Bayern Munich scored twice late on to beat Real Madrid 4-3 on the night and knock them out 6-4 on aggregate in a thrilling Champions League quarter-final.
Madrid took the lead three times on the night to level the tie but Bayern responded each time in front of their home fans in Munich. Luis Diaz’s 89th-minute goal moments after Eduardo Camavinga’s red card finally saw Madrid off before Michael Olise added gloss.
It was an extraordinary game that featured five goals in the first half but the 15-time European champions are out. It is Vincent Kompany and his Bayern team that progress to a semi-final against holders Paris Saint-Germain that could well be another classic.
Manuel Neuer looks on after Arda Guler scored in the first minute for Real Madrid
Manuel Neuer had been widely praised for his man of the match performance in the Spanish capital but it was his sloppy pass that allowed Arda Guler to begin the mayhem after 35 seconds. It was just the first of a series of goalkeeping mistakes in the game.
Andriy Lunin allowed Aleksandar Pavlovic to nod in from near the line before Neuer failed to keep out Arda Guler’s free-kick despite getting a good hand to the ball. Harry Kane restored Bayern’s aggregate lead. Kylian Mbappe levelled the tie. And all that before the break.
The tie remained locked at four apiece for much of the second half despite Olise and Mbappe both going close but it was a foolish second yellow card for Camavinga that cost Madrid. The substitute brought down Kane and then prevented the restart. A costly call.
Diaz broke Alvaro Arbeloa’s side’s resolve soon after and all but confirmed that the Spanish giants will endure another trophyless season. For Kompany’s Bayern, while PSG represent daunting opponents in the last four, the treble remains a possibility.
Arbeloa slams ‘unbelievable’ red card
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa speaking to TNT Sports:
“It is really unbelievable that you send off a player for this action. I cannot believe it. It is not possible in a match like this that you are sent off for this.
“We feel really sad, really angry, really disappointed. And I think all of this is a little bit unfair.”
Kane hits 50 goals for season
Kane became the first English player to score 50 goals for a club in Europe’s major leagues in 95 years.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, the England captain said: “It is a reward for a lot of the hard work, not just by me but the team. It would not be possible without the players around me.
“For me, it is just about keeping it going. We still have six weeks left in a Bayern shirt and a World Cup in the summer. I just want to stay physically fit and sharp and be able help the team.
“I feel like whenever I get chances I am able to make the keeper work or get my shots off quickly. It was nice to get the goal today but I will do whatever it takes to help the team, scoring goals, assists, defending, I just enjoy being out there with these boys.”
Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid
On the match itself, Kane said: “It was a tough game. We knew it was going to be difficult. Real Madrid and the Champions League have this special connection and you need to be at the highest level to beat them and knock them out. I think we have done that.
“The first half was a little bit crazy. Obviously, getting off to the worst start possible. But we got back into the game well and looked like the team who were more dangerous. But they have players on the transition who can really hurt you and that is what punished us.
“In the second half we had to be more patient. We knew as the game went on we would get stronger and fitter and physically better and then we were able to take our chances at the end.”
