BAYERN Munich staged a dramatic late surge to eliminate Real Madrid, 4-3 in second leg and 6-4 in aggregate, to advance to the semifinals round of the UEFA Champions League.
The match ended in controversy after Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was dismissed in the 86th minute for a second yellow card following a challenge on Harry Kane. The decision, made by referee Slavko Vinčić, sparked immediate protests from the Spanish side.
Bayern capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Luis Díaz breaking the deadlock minutes later before Michael Olise added a decisive goal deep into stoppage time to put the tie beyond reach.
Madrid threatened a comeback in the series earlier in the match, with Arda Güler punishing a costly error from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer just 34 seconds into the match. However, Bayern responded with a header from Aleksandar Pavlović.
Güler restored Madrid’s lead with a well-taken free kick in the 29th minute. Kane later drew Bayern level again before Kylian Mbappé put Madrid ahead just before halftime.
With the result, Bayern reached the Champions League semifinals for the 14th time and set up a clash against Paris Saint-Germain, which ousted Liverpool a day earlier, 4-0 in aggregate.
Meanwhile, Arsenal secured their place in the semifinals following a second-leg 0-0 draw, 1-0 in aggregate, against Sporting CP at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s side headed into Wednesday’s second leg guarding a one-goal advantage after Kai Havertz’s strike in Lisbon a week ago.
And, although Sporting’s Geny Catamo struck David Raya’s post in the first half, Havertz’s stoppage-time winner from the opening match proved enough for an unconvincing Arsenal to secure a last-four date with Atlético Madrid.
Atlético Madrid earlier earned their place in the semifinals after disposing reigning La Liga champions FC Barcelona, 3-2 in aggregate score./PN
