Bayern shoot Real out‚ face Chelsea in final

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

MADRID: Manuel Neuer was the hero as Bayern Munich went through to the Champions League final after beating Real Madrid 3-1 on penalties in the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

They will face Chelsea in their own Allianz Arena in Munich on May 19 after losing their return leg 2-1 after extra-time, to send the tie into penalties with the Germans having won by the same score in the first game.

The keeper stopped Madrid’s two initial spot-kicks from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, and Sergio Ramos blazed one over the bar before Bastian Schweinsteiger held his nerve to put Bayern to the final.

Earlier, Ronaldo had scored twice for Real before Arjen Robben grabbed one back in a frantic first half-hour to level the tie. The game started at a furious pace and Sami Khedira had the first chance of the game on three minutes for Real forcing a save from Neuer.

Two minutes later Madrid were ahead thanks to Ronaldo’s spot kick after Angel Di Maria’s shot had fortuitously hit the arm of David Alaba.

Bayern’s response was immediate and Robben should have levelled the game when he met Alaba’s cross in the six-yard box. Iker Casillas did enough to hurry the Dutchman, whose shot spun over the bar. On 12 minutes Casillas blocked a shot from Toni Kroos and just when it seemed Bayern would quickly get back into the game Ronaldo struck again.

Khedira was quick in the tackle deep in Bayern’s half to allow Mesut Ozil time to supply the Portuguese with a perfect pass that he converted with a left footed shot. Bayern fought back and their reward came from the penalty spot after Pepe pushed Gomez, Robben levelling the tie at 3-3 on aggregate.