Good evening and welcome along to our live coverage of tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich from the Bernabeu.
The hosts, and holders, take a 2-1 lead into the return leg after coming from a goal down at the Allianz Arena six days ago, with Marcelo and Asensio putting Madrid in the driving seat as they bid for a 13th European crown.
A place in this year’s decider in Kiev is on the line, with kick-off fast approaching at 7.45pm. Stick with us for all the action throughout the evening.
The atmosphere is really building inside and outside the ground.
Catherine Ivill
Catherine Ivill
Denis Doyle - UEFA
Denis Doyle - UEFA
David Ramos
David Ramos
Getty Images
Getty Images
1 May 2018
7:06PM
TEAM NEWS: Real Madrid have made three changes from last week’s first leg, two of which are enforced, as Dani Carvajal and Isco drop out injured. Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema come in, while Mateo Kovacic replaces Casemiro in the starting XI.
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) May 1, 2018
1 May 2018
7:08PM
TEAM NEWS: Bayern, meanwhile, have been forced into a number of changes with Javi Martinez, Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng all dropping out through injury after the first leg. David Alaba returns from a thigh problem though and is named to start by Jupp Heynckes.
152 - Cristiano Ronaldo is making his 152nd appearance in the Champions League this evening; the most of any outfield player in competition history (one more than Xavi). Titan. pic.twitter.com/y7YgDob8EE
Which way do you see this one going and who will be advancing to the Champions League final in Kiev later this month?
Poll Results:
Real Madrid (383)
Bayern Munich (196)
1 May 2018
7:36PM
We’re nearly set at the Bernabeu, but if you’re just joining us, let’s take a final check on the teams.
The big news is that Zinedine Zidane has sprung a surprise by dropping Casemiro, with Mateo Kovacic coming into a three-man midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
There was is place again for Gareth Bale in the starting XI as Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema support Cristiano Ronaldo in attack — and Lucaz Vazquez is set to start at right-back in place of the injured Dani Carvajal.
Bayern are missing a number of key players, including Javi Martinez, Jerome Boateng, Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal and Manuel Neuer.
Corentin Tolisso replaces Martinez in midfield while Niklas Suele is brought into central defence. James Rodriguez, on loan from Real, starts against his parent club again.
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Lucas Vazquez, Sergio Ramos (capt), Raphael Varane, Marcelo; Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema
Bayern Munich: Sven Ulreich; Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Niklas Suele, David Alaba; Thomas Mueller (capt), Thiago Alcantara, Corentin Tolisso, Franck Ribery; James Rodriguez, Robert Lewandowski
Zidane, who has guided Real to back-to-back Champions League crowns, says his future as manager doesn’t depend on winning the competition for a third time this season.
“It’s independent of that,” he said pre-match.
“Today I’m the coach and I want to continue at this club. But it’s not important. What matters to everyone is thinking about this game and that’s it.
“The key for us it to go out to win the game. No need to take chances, to play on the back foot, nor to do anything strange. We’ve got to go out and get an early goal.”
1 May 2018
7:43PM
The teams are out and we’ve had the Champions League anthem. Here we go!
1 May 2018
7:44PM
Some scenes. The game is live on TV3 and BT Sport if you’re wondering.
KICK OFF! Real Madrid, playing in their eighth successive Champions League semi-final, get us underway. The place is bouncing.
1 May 2018
7:48PM
2 mins – Bayern have made a really bright start as Luka Modric concedes a free-kick on this left hand side and then David Alaba gets in behind, but his low cross is straight at Keylor Navas and the goalkeeper deals with it comfortably.
3 mins — GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Bayern Munich (Joshua Kimmich)
What a start from the visitors and you could hear a pin drop inside the Bernabeu.
Mueller is in acres of space down the right and his cross causes Ramos all sorts of problems, with his clearance falling at the feet of Kimmich, who finishes from close range.
Game on!
1 May 2018
7:52PM
7 mins – Real Madrid look to hit back straight away as Benzema squares it for Ronaldo, but his first sight of goal of the evening is wide. The hosts have been slow out of the blocks.
1 May 2018
7:54PM
8 mins – Bayern are playing with a lot of confidence in these early exchanges as they ping the ball around and they’ve got a lot of joy out of running directly at Vazquez down this near side. Alaba is playing like an auxiliary winger at the moment.
1 May 2018
7:54PM
7 - Joshua Kimmich has been directly involved in seven goals in the Champions League this season, more than any other Bayern player (4 goals, 3 assists). Starlet.
Real are back level on the night and ahead on aggregate! Marcelo traps a beautiful switch of play from Modric and whips in a delicious cross, leaving the unmarked Benzema with the task of nodding home the equaliser at the back post. What a start to this match!
13 mins – Well, this is delivering anyway. Rimmich’s third-minute opener has been cancelled out by Benzema’s third Champions League goal of the season, with Real back in front on aggregate — but they look vulnerable every time Bayern venture forward.
1 May 2018
8:03PM
Karim Benzema has now scored 54 career Champions League goals; Cristiano Ronaldo (120) and Lionel Messi (100) are the only active players with more.
20 mins – Bayern are looking very dangerous. Ribery plays a delightful through ball in behind the Madrid defence for Mueller, who controls and then looks for James Rodriguez but his square ball is just over-hit. The visitors have enjoyed 63% of the possession so far.
1 May 2018
8:13PM
25 mins — Bayern applying the squeeze on Real when the hosts are in possession but they remain patient and work it brilliantly, with Marcelo squandering a great chance on the left with Ronaldo screaming for it in the box. In the end, the Brazilian delayed and was caught in two minds before his cross-cum-shot was blocked behind.
31 mins – Both sides creating chances now. Ribery is again heavily involved as he skips past a number of would-be tacklers and then has the awareness to cross for Mueller, but the German gets it stuck under his feet and his effort lacks power.
1 May 2018
8:20PM
33 mins – What a chance! Lewandowski is slipped in and Navos pulls off a smart stop, but from the rebound it falls for Rodriguez after Mueller’s knock down and somehow he blasts over from close range.
36 mins – What a game this is. Both sides look vulnerable defensively but that’s making it an even better spectacle. It could be 4-4 at this stage already.
1 May 2018
8:24PM
38 mins — Save! Ronaldo is picked out on the edge of the area and after a couple of step overs, manufactures a yard of space for himself by shifting it onto his right foot, but the ‘keeper is equal to the task.
From the corner, Ramos gets above everyone but can’t control his effort and it flies wide.
1 May 2018
8:30PM
44 mins – Corentin Tolisso has done a good job in the Bayern midfield so far and he ventures further forward on this occasion, before attempting to curl one into the top corner past Navas, but he started it too far out.
1 May 2018
8:31PM
45 mins – We’ll have one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
1 May 2018
8:32PM
45 + 1 mins — One last attack for Bayern as they end the half the way they started it; and the visitors are appealing for a penalty after Kimmich’s attempted cross appears to strike the arm of Marcelo. It would have been very harsh.
Half-time: Real Madrid 1-1 Bayern Munich (3-2 on aggregate)
A breathless 45 minutes of football. Joshua Rimmich drew first blood for Bayern after just 180 seconds but Real found an instant reply, with Benzema nodding home at the back post to put the hosts back in the driving seat.
46 mins — GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (Benzema)
Oh my word, what a mistake! Thiago’s back-pass is a little short but Sven Ulreich makes an absolute mess of it as he comes out and completely misses the ball, allowing Benzema to tap into the empty net. The ‘keeper got himself in two minds there and an almighty howler has gifted the hosts a two-goal advantage on aggregate.
1 May 2018
8:52PM
49 mins – That goal came just 20 seconds into the second half and is an absolute sucker punch for Bayern. What can they respond with?
1 May 2018
8:53PM
50 mins — Close! And they almost hit back straight away. Alaba cuts in on his right and unleashes a fierce effort, which takes a slight deflection on the way through, and Navas is forced into a brilliant one-handed save.
1 May 2018
8:54PM
2 - Karim Benzema scored his first brace in a Champions League knockout game since February 2014 (v Schalke). Schadenfreude.
53 mins – At the other end, Real are going for the jugular. The ball is laid back to Modric, who whips it across the face of the goal and inches wide with the ‘keeper beaten.
1 May 2018
8:57PM
53 mins — Chance! You would have put everything you own on Ronaldo converting there, but he volleys over from Marcelo’s cross from the left. What a game, sensational stuff!
60 mins – It’s really opening up now and we’ve had chances at both ends. Moments after Niklas Suele’s effort is blocked and Real relieve the pressure on their goal, the hosts look to strike through Benzema, but the chance is snuffed out.
62 mins — GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern Munich (James Rodriguez)
A lifeline for Bayern! James’ initial effort is blocked but he is quickest to react and fires under the advancing Navas with his right to bring us level on the night, and the visitors within a goal of advancing.
The Colombian didn’t celebrate, by the way, and was almost apologetic for scoring against his parent club.
1 May 2018
9:07PM
65 mins – And you just know there are more goals in this game! We’re in for a thrilling final 25 minutes.
1 May 2018
9:08PM
66 mins – Which way do you see this one going now?
67 mins – Varane with a crucial header as Mueller waited to pounce behind him. It’s got a little scrappy since Bayern’s equaliser and Zidane is preparing to bring Gareth Bale on.
1 May 2018
9:13PM
7 - James Rodríguez is the 7th player in Champions League history to both score for and against Real Madrid (also Beckham, Morata, van Nistelrooy, Morientes, Robben and Zamorano). Haunt.
76 mins – Half chance for Bayern. Kimmich controls in the box and then Tolisso tries his luck, but Navas — who has been superb all evening — makes a fine reaction save.
1 May 2018
9:20PM
77 mins – You feel Ronaldo is waiting for his big moment in this semi-final, and it’s very nearly delivered on a plate to him by Gareth Bale but the cross is a fraction high for the former Man United forward. A goal is coming, but at what end?
1 May 2018
9:22PM
Such a dour, defensive game. This Champions League football is so predictable.
83 mins – It’s tense now. Bayern are throwing everything at Real but they’re running out of time. Six minutes left on the clock…
1 May 2018
9:27PM
84 mins – Javi Martinez is on for James Rodriguez, the latter’s last involvement to kick the ball out of play for an ‘injured’ player to receive treatment.
1 May 2018
9:31PM
87 mins – Martinez is straight into the thick of the action and catches Toni Kroos, who doesn’t need a second invitation to waste a bit of time. Nacho Fernandez is on for Marco Asensio, by the way.
1 May 2018
9:33PM
89 mins – No shortage of drama out there. Casemiro goes into the book for scything Mueller down and then Varane is shown yellow for time-wasting. From the resulting free-kick, Navas comes off his line to punch clear but gets clattered and stays down. Real feel he was fouled but it’s a Bayern corner…
1 May 2018
9:34PM
90 mins – We’ll have five minutes of added time, and just as we pass the 90-minute mark, Real scramble to clear as Ronaldo heads behind for another corner. Tension.
1 May 2018
9:35PM
90 + 2 mins – Here come Bayern again, and they’re throwing everything at Real…
1 May 2018
9:36PM
90 + 3 mins — Oh, what a chance!! Hummels finds himself in acres of space inside the area but instead of going for goal himself, tries to square it and Navas comes off his line to avert the danger.
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As it happened: Real Madrid v Bayern Munich, Champions League semi-final second leg
Good evening and welcome along to our live coverage of tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich from the Bernabeu.
The hosts, and holders, take a 2-1 lead into the return leg after coming from a goal down at the Allianz Arena six days ago, with Marcelo and Asensio putting Madrid in the driving seat as they bid for a 13th European crown.
A place in this year’s decider in Kiev is on the line, with kick-off fast approaching at 7.45pm. Stick with us for all the action throughout the evening.
The atmosphere is really building inside and outside the ground.
TEAM NEWS: Real Madrid have made three changes from last week’s first leg, two of which are enforced, as Dani Carvajal and Isco drop out injured. Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema come in, while Mateo Kovacic replaces Casemiro in the starting XI.
TEAM NEWS: Bayern, meanwhile, have been forced into a number of changes with Javi Martinez, Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng all dropping out through injury after the first leg. David Alaba returns from a thigh problem though and is named to start by Jupp Heynckes.
Which way do you see this one going and who will be advancing to the Champions League final in Kiev later this month?
Poll Results:
We’re nearly set at the Bernabeu, but if you’re just joining us, let’s take a final check on the teams.
The big news is that Zinedine Zidane has sprung a surprise by dropping Casemiro, with Mateo Kovacic coming into a three-man midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
There was is place again for Gareth Bale in the starting XI as Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema support Cristiano Ronaldo in attack — and Lucaz Vazquez is set to start at right-back in place of the injured Dani Carvajal.
Bayern are missing a number of key players, including Javi Martinez, Jerome Boateng, Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal and Manuel Neuer.
Corentin Tolisso replaces Martinez in midfield while Niklas Suele is brought into central defence. James Rodriguez, on loan from Real, starts against his parent club again.
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Lucas Vazquez, Sergio Ramos (capt), Raphael Varane, Marcelo; Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema
Bayern Munich: Sven Ulreich; Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Niklas Suele, David Alaba; Thomas Mueller (capt), Thiago Alcantara, Corentin Tolisso, Franck Ribery; James Rodriguez, Robert Lewandowski
Looks like some atmosphere in the Spanish capital.
Zidane, who has guided Real to back-to-back Champions League crowns, says his future as manager doesn’t depend on winning the competition for a third time this season.
“It’s independent of that,” he said pre-match.
The teams are out and we’ve had the Champions League anthem. Here we go!
Some scenes. The game is live on TV3 and BT Sport if you’re wondering.
KICK OFF! Real Madrid, playing in their eighth successive Champions League semi-final, get us underway. The place is bouncing.
2 mins – Bayern have made a really bright start as Luka Modric concedes a free-kick on this left hand side and then David Alaba gets in behind, but his low cross is straight at Keylor Navas and the goalkeeper deals with it comfortably.
3 mins — GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Bayern Munich (Joshua Kimmich)
What a start from the visitors and you could hear a pin drop inside the Bernabeu.
Mueller is in acres of space down the right and his cross causes Ramos all sorts of problems, with his clearance falling at the feet of Kimmich, who finishes from close range.
Game on!
7 mins – Real Madrid look to hit back straight away as Benzema squares it for Ronaldo, but his first sight of goal of the evening is wide. The hosts have been slow out of the blocks.
8 mins – Bayern are playing with a lot of confidence in these early exchanges as they ping the ball around and they’ve got a lot of joy out of running directly at Vazquez down this near side. Alaba is playing like an auxiliary winger at the moment.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Bayern Munich (Benzema)
Real are back level on the night and ahead on aggregate! Marcelo traps a beautiful switch of play from Modric and whips in a delicious cross, leaving the unmarked Benzema with the task of nodding home the equaliser at the back post. What a start to this match!
Bayern’s joy was short-lived.
13 mins – Well, this is delivering anyway. Rimmich’s third-minute opener has been cancelled out by Benzema’s third Champions League goal of the season, with Real back in front on aggregate — but they look vulnerable every time Bayern venture forward.
20 mins – Bayern are looking very dangerous. Ribery plays a delightful through ball in behind the Madrid defence for Mueller, who controls and then looks for James Rodriguez but his square ball is just over-hit. The visitors have enjoyed 63% of the possession so far.
25 mins — Bayern applying the squeeze on Real when the hosts are in possession but they remain patient and work it brilliantly, with Marcelo squandering a great chance on the left with Ronaldo screaming for it in the box. In the end, the Brazilian delayed and was caught in two minds before his cross-cum-shot was blocked behind.
31 mins – Both sides creating chances now. Ribery is again heavily involved as he skips past a number of would-be tacklers and then has the awareness to cross for Mueller, but the German gets it stuck under his feet and his effort lacks power.
33 mins – What a chance! Lewandowski is slipped in and Navos pulls off a smart stop, but from the rebound it falls for Rodriguez after Mueller’s knock down and somehow he blasts over from close range.
36 mins – What a game this is. Both sides look vulnerable defensively but that’s making it an even better spectacle. It could be 4-4 at this stage already.
38 mins — Save! Ronaldo is picked out on the edge of the area and after a couple of step overs, manufactures a yard of space for himself by shifting it onto his right foot, but the ‘keeper is equal to the task.
From the corner, Ramos gets above everyone but can’t control his effort and it flies wide.
44 mins – Corentin Tolisso has done a good job in the Bayern midfield so far and he ventures further forward on this occasion, before attempting to curl one into the top corner past Navas, but he started it too far out.
45 mins – We’ll have one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
45 + 1 mins — One last attack for Bayern as they end the half the way they started it; and the visitors are appealing for a penalty after Kimmich’s attempted cross appears to strike the arm of Marcelo. It would have been very harsh.
Half-time: Real Madrid 1-1 Bayern Munich (3-2 on aggregate)
A breathless 45 minutes of football. Joshua Rimmich drew first blood for Bayern after just 180 seconds but Real found an instant reply, with Benzema nodding home at the back post to put the hosts back in the driving seat.
KICK OFF! Teams are back out and we’re up and running again.
46 mins — GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (Benzema)
Oh my word, what a mistake! Thiago’s back-pass is a little short but Sven Ulreich makes an absolute mess of it as he comes out and completely misses the ball, allowing Benzema to tap into the empty net. The ‘keeper got himself in two minds there and an almighty howler has gifted the hosts a two-goal advantage on aggregate.
49 mins – That goal came just 20 seconds into the second half and is an absolute sucker punch for Bayern. What can they respond with?
50 mins — Close! And they almost hit back straight away. Alaba cuts in on his right and unleashes a fierce effort, which takes a slight deflection on the way through, and Navas is forced into a brilliant one-handed save.
53 mins – At the other end, Real are going for the jugular. The ball is laid back to Modric, who whips it across the face of the goal and inches wide with the ‘keeper beaten.
53 mins — Chance! You would have put everything you own on Ronaldo converting there, but he volleys over from Marcelo’s cross from the left. What a game, sensational stuff!
60 mins – It’s really opening up now and we’ve had chances at both ends. Moments after Niklas Suele’s effort is blocked and Real relieve the pressure on their goal, the hosts look to strike through Benzema, but the chance is snuffed out.
62 mins — GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern Munich (James Rodriguez)
A lifeline for Bayern! James’ initial effort is blocked but he is quickest to react and fires under the advancing Navas with his right to bring us level on the night, and the visitors within a goal of advancing.
The Colombian didn’t celebrate, by the way, and was almost apologetic for scoring against his parent club.
65 mins – And you just know there are more goals in this game! We’re in for a thrilling final 25 minutes.
66 mins – Which way do you see this one going now?
Poll Results:
67 mins – Varane with a crucial header as Mueller waited to pounce behind him. It’s got a little scrappy since Bayern’s equaliser and Zidane is preparing to bring Gareth Bale on.
72 mins – Benzema receives a huge ovation as he makes way for Bale. Mateo Kovacic is also coming off and is replaced by Casemiro.
76 mins – Half chance for Bayern. Kimmich controls in the box and then Tolisso tries his luck, but Navas — who has been superb all evening — makes a fine reaction save.
77 mins – You feel Ronaldo is waiting for his big moment in this semi-final, and it’s very nearly delivered on a plate to him by Gareth Bale but the cross is a fraction high for the former Man United forward. A goal is coming, but at what end?
83 mins – It’s tense now. Bayern are throwing everything at Real but they’re running out of time. Six minutes left on the clock…
84 mins – Javi Martinez is on for James Rodriguez, the latter’s last involvement to kick the ball out of play for an ‘injured’ player to receive treatment.
87 mins – Martinez is straight into the thick of the action and catches Toni Kroos, who doesn’t need a second invitation to waste a bit of time. Nacho Fernandez is on for Marco Asensio, by the way.
89 mins – No shortage of drama out there. Casemiro goes into the book for scything Mueller down and then Varane is shown yellow for time-wasting. From the resulting free-kick, Navas comes off his line to punch clear but gets clattered and stays down. Real feel he was fouled but it’s a Bayern corner…
90 mins – We’ll have five minutes of added time, and just as we pass the 90-minute mark, Real scramble to clear as Ronaldo heads behind for another corner. Tension.
90 + 2 mins – Here come Bayern again, and they’re throwing everything at Real…
90 + 3 mins — Oh, what a chance!! Hummels finds himself in acres of space inside the area but instead of going for goal himself, tries to square it and Navas comes off his line to avert the danger.
90 + 5 mins – Last chance saloon…
Full-time! Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern Munich (4-3)
What a game! Real Madrid advance to the Champions League final!
The three-peat is on! Real Madrid have reached the Champions League final for a record seventh time, surpassing AC Milan and Juventus on six.
Thanks for joining us this evening, we’ll have a full report and reaction to come. Until next time, goodbye!
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