Champions League Quarter-Finals: Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich
Real Madrid hero Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick seals win against Bayern Munich
Real Madrid hosted titan German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich on Tuesday before a packed house at the Bernabeu in an exciting, relentless, high-energy match that resulted in a win for Real Madrid thanks to a hat-trick for hero Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid will join fellow Spanish La Liga giant club Atletico Madrid in the upcoming 2017 Champions League Semi-Finals along with the winners of Wednesday’s matches featuring Barcelona v Juventus and Monaco v Borussia Dortmund. Bayern Munich dominated the first part of the match but suffered a set-back due to some questionable officiating by Viktor Kassai and the other referees. Bayern were in the lead when Arturo Vidal was sent off in a poor decision near the end of normal time by a harsh 2nd yellow from Kassai at 84 minutes. It appeared that Vidal clearly won the ball as he slid in to win the ball away from Asensio. But Viktor Kassai had a different view and showed the Chilean, who missed a penalty in the first leg, a second yellow. Bayern is sure to be livid when they review the incident on video.
Robert Lewandowski scored the opening penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo responded at 76 minutes. Soon after Vidal’s dismissal Ronaldo scored two offside goals in extra-time. And Asensio Marco scored the fourth for Madrid. Many fans felt that Bayern were essentially robbed, while hard fighting come-back club, holders Real Madrid have battled their way closer to retaining the Champions League trophy this season.
Match Report
Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich (agg 6-3)
Real Madrid goals: Cristiano Ronaldo 76, Cristiano Ronaldo 105, Cristiano Ronaldo 109, Asensio Marco 112 After Extra Time
Bayern Munich goals: Robert Lewandowski 53 Pen, Garcia Sergio Ramos 78 o.g.
Mighty Spanish La Liga club and Champion League holders Real Madrid went through to the Champions League semi-final for the seventh year in a row, having beaten Bayern Munich 4-2 on Tuesday in an extremely entertaining and absorbing game. The match between the two giant clubs was impressive and ended up being controversial as well. The two European giants fought hard for every goal keeping fans on edge until the outcome was eventually decided in the 109th minute, as Marcelo burst through to send the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo who scored his third to complete his amazing hat-trick that earned Real Madrid the victory. Until the end, the match could have been won by either side until victory slipped out of Bayern’s reach, with the score 4-3 and 5-3 on aggregate. Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai made a controversial call that may have given Real Madrid enough edge to earn their win against Bayern’s 10 man side. Another reason for the turnaround in Real Madrid’s favor was Marcelo’s fine performance featuring every bit of his talent in a fight to the end in an effort to win. The match was a gift for Real Madrid fans. On the other hand, fans of the German club were furious at the referee and at how the game unfolded.
Bayern were knocked out of the prestigious Champions League tournament, and the history of the club is certain to cite the Hungarian ref who sent off Arturo Vidal in the 84th minute with the score 1-2 and allowed Real Madrid’s second and third goals in spite of them being offside as the reasons for their exit. “We deserved more,” said Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti. “We’re not happy. In the quarter-final I think you need a referee who is, I don’t know, better. I don’t know if we would have qualified but it’s important not to make mistakes.” Ancelotti remarked after the game that Uefa should use video technology to help in making a decision. However he said it was obvious that the sending-off was wrong. “I could see he touched the ball,” added Ancelotti. Real Madrid boss Zinédine Zidane preferred not to talk about the referee after the match. The action-filled second leg tie had six goals from 45 shots, and supporters from both clubs ended the evening with a delighted ovation to thank the players. Bayern began the match in excellent form looking so strong that when Madrid finally won a corner after a quarter of an hour, Marcelo gestured to the fans for their support. Bayern might have taken the lead when Marcelo blocked Thiago Alcântara and Arjen Robben scuffed the follow-up. Bayern Munich goalie Manuel Neuer tipped away Dani Carvajal’s first shot and then blocked his second with his chest, Sergio Ramos was unable to score the rebound. Toni Kroos had three opportunities in 10 minutes. Luka Modric sent a swift ball to Ronaldo that he shot at Manuel Neuer with Karim Benzema in support.
“Madrid score in every game,” said Ancelotti, “But they concede in every game too.” At halftime the score was 0-0. Arjen Robben passed up an early chance, chipping over Keylor Navas that did not go beyond Marcelo on the line. A minute later he went down as he cut past Casemiro for a penalty. Robert Lewandowski scored. Bayern had 37 minutes to get another to win the leg, Vidal volleyed Robben’s pass over the bar. Two great goal chances were missed in three minutes, one scored, and Bayern Munich was really getting going. Madrid were in the lead. Lewandowski was released but the linesman’s flag was raised wrongly. Madrid scored, Ronaldo headed in with 14 minutes left. Bayern scored a second almost immediately with an own-goal that slithered in off Nacho and Sergio Ramos and the game went to extra time. Madrid almost went into overtime a man down when Casemiro escaped a second booking. Vidal was sent off shaking his head after a challenge on Marco Asensio leaving Bayern with only 10 men, changing the dynamics of the match completely. Neuer saved Ronaldo’s shot and Marcelo went wide. Casemiro appealed for a penalty. Madrid protested, Neuer saved superbly from Asensio. With seconds left in the first half of extra time Ramos sent the ball to Ronaldo who was alone and offside. He controlled on his chest and made it 2-2. Nacho made a sharp interception as Bayern sought a goal to put them through. Marcelo ran, leapt and sent the ball to Ronaldo who scored his 100th Champions League goal. Asensio made it four to soundly seal the win.
Squads
Real Madrid were without Welsh superstar striker Gareth Bale, who limped out of the first leg of the tie with a calf strain. Isco, who scored twice in Real Madrid’s weekend win against Sporting Gijon, started instead of Bale. Bayern Munich made two changes to their team from last week’s first leg in Germany. Mats Hummels is fit enough to return in place of the suspended Javi Martinez at the back, and superstar striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored four goals against Real Madrid for Borussia Dortmund in 2012, has recovered from a shoulder injury. Thomas Muller began the game on the bench.
Real Madrid
Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema. Subs: Casilla, Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez, Asensio, Danilo, James Rodriguez, Morata.
Bayern Munich
Neuer; Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Alaba; Alonso, Vidal, Thiago; Robben, Lewandowski, Ribery. Subs: Ulreich, Bernat, Kimmich, Muller, Costa, Rafinha, Coman.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).
In the other Champions League Quarter-finals match on Tuesday, Atletico Madrid defated Premier League champions Leicester City 1-1 (agg 1-2). Atletico will go on to compete in the Semi-finals. On Wednesday, Barca will host Juve at Camp Nou and Monaco will host Borussia Dortmund in their second leg Champions League quarter-finals ties. You can still buy legal, last minute football tickets for these games!
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