The UEFA Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid began on Tuesday with a delicious first leg, sparring with superstars, noise and tension, but no winners.
The match between Bayern and Real took place at the Allianz Arena in Germany. Both scored dazzling goals. Both sides were in control for over 25 minutes.
However, neither held the lead. Vinicius Junior’s second goal of the night gave Real Madrid a 2-2 draw and an implicit advantage back home for next week’s second leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Bayern, looking to recover from a troubled season, controlled the ball and the game from the start. However, Madrid, boosted by the performances of Vini and Toni Kroos, took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. Vini dragged Kim Min-jae out of position and dived in behind the Bayern defender, giving the away team the lead against the run of play.
Bayern fought back in a frenetic five minutes in the second half. Leroy Sane fired a laser to equalize with his first goal in 185 days.
Then Jamal Musiala’s brilliant dribble gave Harry Kane the lead from the penalty spot and suddenly Europe’s kings were reeling. For most of the second half, Bayern wanted a third goal, and almost went for it.
However, with less than 10 minutes remaining, Kim clumsily fouled Rodrigo inside the penalty area. Bini scored the penalty. And Real Madrid, as always, weathered the European storm, just as they did against Manchester City in the previous game.
The 14-time champion will be favored heading into next Wednesday’s second leg (3 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+/Univision). They are about to play the final against Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé, who is likely to become a star soon. (PSG’s semi-final against Borussia Dortmund begins on Wednesday and ends next Tuesday.)
But they, like everyone else, will know that there is still work to be done. Despite being stripped of their title in Germany, Bayern proved on Tuesday that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
You can reproduce the first step below.
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Full time: Bayern Munich 2 – 2 Real Madrid
Two goals from Vini Junior keep things balanced in the first leg ahead of next Wednesday’s decider in Madrid.
Vini Junior equalizes with his 5th goal in the Champions League!
Vini scored the equalizing goal from the penalty spot.
It was a night of nightmares for Bayern center back Kim Min-jae.
He was dragged around by Vini and exposed for the early lead.
This time, a clumsy tackle on Rodrigo cost Bayern the lead. There was no doubt about the penalty. Vinni converts. 2-2.
Penalty awarded to Real Madrid!! Vini Junior is coming forward to take a shot.
Luka Modric, 38, just dropped absolute gold on Vini.
Manuel Neuer makes a great save.
There are many big players on display here. It’s quite a sight. This is the peak of the Champions League.
10 minutes left, still 2-1 Bayern
real madrid subs
Toni Kroos and… Luka Modric and Brahim Dias appear in place of Jude Bellingham!?
It’s a bit of a surprise. But it’s pretty quiet in Bellingham tonight.
14 minutes left + stoppage time. Bayern look likely to score again.
Real Madrid wobbles
Harry Kane’s deflected shot just missed the post.
Eric Dier’s free header landed in the arms of Andriy Lunin.
Real Madrid are living a dangerous life here. As it stands, it is 50-50 whether he will return to Madrid for the second leg. Another goal for Bayern would change things.
What a turnaround!
From 0-1 to 2-1 within 5 minutes!
And it was designed by three of Bayern’s most dynamic players.
Konrad Reimer ran into the space in midfield and played the ball to Leroy Sane on the right.
Sane ended a 185-day goal drought with a typical Leroy Sane goal, cutting inside with his left foot and firing a laser.
Jamal Musiala then darted into Real Madrid’s box and won a penalty.
Error by Lucas Dejunde La Pierna. Con Musiala es un peligro hacer algo así.
Harry Kane has changed his mind. Bayern is back to life.
In his first Champions League semi-final appearance, Harry Kane led Bayern 2-1:
And after Sane’s equalizer, Bayern got a penalty!
Second half underway
Half-time substitution: Rafael Guerreiro replaces Leon Goretzka in Bayern’s midfield.
This isn’t a change that says, “Okay, let’s chase the game.” It’s a bit of a tactical adjustment.
Toni Kroos’ first half: It’s not just the assists. On-ball, he’s pretty close to perfection.
Harry Kane’s free-kick bounced several feet wide, leaving Bayern Munich with eight shots to Real Madrid’s one.
However, one of them was of very high quality, and eight of them were mostly so-called “half chances”, and there were no obvious mistakes that stood out.
It’s still 1-0 and halftime is approaching.
Can Bayern get their rhythm back?
The challenge for Bayern now is to rediscover the rhythm of the opening 20 minutes and not let their game plan slip away even for a moment.
Especially against this Real Madrid team, there is a risk that they will start chasing the game and lose control.
Real, on the other hand, would be even happier to drop deep into their own defensive third and play on the counter. Perhaps it’s probably then. los blancos It’s in top condition.
