Bayern stuns Real

Bayern Munich knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League on Wednesday, April 15, winning 4-3 in Munich and 6-4 on aggregate after two goals in the final minute and stoppage time. (uefa.com) Luis Díaz scored in the 89th minute and Michael Olise added Bayern’s fourth in the 90th minute plus four after Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in the 86th. Real Madrid had led three times on the night before Bayern finished the tie with two late goals. (thestar.com.my) The match swung almost immediately. Arda Güler scored after 34 seconds following a Manuel Neuer error, Aleksandar Pavlović equalized in the sixth minute, Güler restored Madrid’s lead with a free kick in the 29th, Harry Kane made it 2-2 in the 38th, and Kylian Mbappé put Madrid back in front in the 42nd. (uefa.com) The result ended Real Madrid’s latest run in a competition they have won 15 times, the most in Europe, and sent Bayern into a semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain. Bayern had arrived in Munich with a 2-1 first-leg lead from Spain and protected that edge only after surviving a first half in which Madrid kept dragging the tie level or ahead. (thestar.com.my) For Bayern, the tie turned on depth and pressure as much as finishing. UEFA’s match report said Díaz’s shot took a touch off Éder Militão on the way in, and Olise scored with what became the final kick of the match as Madrid pushed numbers forward chasing one more goal. (uefa.com) Arsenal also moved on Wednesday, reaching the Champions League semifinals for a second straight season after a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates Stadium sealed a 1-0 aggregate win. Arsenal will face Atlético Madrid in the last four. (apnews.com) Arteta had framed the week around conviction before the second leg, saying questions around his team had followed Arsenal for months even while they led the Premier League and won nearly every Champions League game they had played. After advancing, coverage from British outlets described him pointing to the squad’s belief and to “two magical nights” ahead in the semifinal. (aljazeera.com, (vavel.com)) Thierry Henry, speaking during Arsenal’s run-in, said he “respects” Arteta’s work and defended the team’s style as the club chases its first Premier League title since 2003-04. Separate reports before Arsenal’s weekend league test said Henry wanted a stronger statement performance and more intensity from the side. (skysports.com, (sports.yahoo.com)) Wednesday left the Champions League semifinal field clearer: Bayern through after eliminating the competition’s most decorated club, and Arsenal through again with Arteta’s team still balancing Europe with a title race at home. (uefa.com, (apnews.com))