Dramatic penalty shootout sees Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid to reach Champions League final

Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka had penalties saved while Sergio Ramos skied his attempt before Bastian Schweinsteiger scored to earn Bayern Munich a place in the Champions League final at their own Allianz Arena.

The game began furiously with Madrid racing into a two goal lead with a Ronaldo double - a penalty and a calmly taken 15 yard strike - before Arjen Robben brought Bayern back level with a spot kick of his own.

The second 45 minutes was much cagier with neither side throwing too many players forward and Bayern’s Mario Gomez miss sent us to extra-time and 30 more minutes could not separate the sides

After Ronaldo and Kaká were denied by Manuel Neuer, Schweini calmly netted his and Germans will face Chelsea on May 19 in Munich.

Madrid had started strongly and almost scored after only 150 seconds - Ángel Di María skinned young Bayern left-back David Alaba and crossed but Sami Khedira shot straight at visiting keeper Manuel Neuer from close range.

Attacking the teenage Alaba was clearly a Madrid plan, and it brought the first goal. Xabi Alonso’s piercing long pass was volleyed back by Di María and Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai ruled the ball struck the Austrian’s arm. Ronaldo coolly sent Neuer the wrong way from the spot.

Bayern should have hit back immediately when Alaba crossed and Robben somehow volleyed over from just three yards.

Madrid punished the wastefulness when Mesut Özil turned cleverly and found Ronaldo in space just inside area. The Portuguese calmly took a touch and side-footed low to the corner for 2-0.

Back in the hunt

Still Bayern kept their heads and played their football. Robben linked well with Ribéry but Pepe raced across to tackle the Frenchman. Gomez again had room to strike 25 yards out but the ball flew wide. The Germans were back in it when Kassai saw Pepe haul down the Bayern targetman in the area and Robben’s penalty found the net despite home keeper Iker Casillas getting a hand to the ball.

Both defences were still looking jittery as half-time approached. Karim Benzema cut inside from the left and fired just past the far top corner. Robben’s free-kick brought a tremendous flying stop from Casillas.

Both coaches must have had a word at half-time as the second period was much more composed. Gomez nodded Philipp Lahm’s cross just wide and Benzema’s snapshot worried Neuer, but both sides were now more careful about sending men forward.

With Kassai giving soft frees to both teams, Gomez headed a Kroos delivery wide and Ronaldo shot one free straight at Neuer and other well over.

As the tension grew. Mourinho sent on Kaká for Di María, but Bayern looked the better side Gomez really should have won it when Robben found him just six yards out, but the big striker dithered, Sergio Ramos blocked and we had extra-time.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes surprisingly withdrew Ribéry for Thomas Muller and the game ebbed again with Madrid now on top. Pepe surge up the field gave Ronaldo space, but the attacker miskicked.

Into the second extra-time period and Gonzalo Higuaín replaced Benzema. Both sides looked out on their feet, but Madrid were pushing forward. Kaká controlled close to goal, but could not get his shot away. Another substitute Esteban Granero was booked for diving in the area and it was penalties.

 

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