Real Madrid's Dramatic Comeback Sends Them to Champions League Final: Match Recap and Highlights

 

Real Madrid has advanced back to the Champions League final following yet another incredible night at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. On Wednesday, the 14-time European champions overcame Bayern Munich 2-1 to get to the final for the second time in three seasons. It was an incredible comeback.

As is often the case in 2022, Madrid required some dramatic late drama to progress. With goals in stoppage time and the 88th minute, Jocelú gave Madrid a 4-3 lead overall and guaranteed a spot in the final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1 in London.

Alfonso Davis' goal gave Bayern the lead in the 68th minute. In stoppage time, it looked like Bayern had equalized, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Jocelú's first goal came from an easy tap-in following a straightforward save by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. After a video review, the second goal—which had been first called out for offside—was subsequently allowed.

 

Madrid will be playing in their record-tying 18th EuropeanCup final and their ninth in the history of the Champions League. Madrid staged a late comeback this season, as demonstrated on Wednesday, and last made it to the final in 2022, where they defeated Liverpool.

 

At that point, Madrid stunned Chelsea in the quarterfinals, Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, and Manchester City in the semifinals at the Bernabeu.

Bayern, the six-time European champions, wanted to make it back to the championship game for the first time since winning it in 2019–20. Due to the defeat, the all-German 2013 final, in which Bayern overcame Dortmund to win their fifth European championship, will not be replayed.

 

It hurts. Although it's a loss when we gave it our all on the field, it will take some time to recover, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel remarked. It's not easy to accept, to be honest. It is a fact of life. I have no regrets.

Dortmund, the 1997 European Champions, defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on Tuesday.

Although the game was nearly equally matched, Madrid took advantage of the most important goal opportunities. They were unable to match Neuer's incredible performance, though, as he produced a number of tough saves to keep Bayern in the match.

However, in the closing moments, the German international faltered, mishandling a simple pass following Vinicius Junior's attempt, which let Jocelú—who entered the game as a substitute in the 81st minute—to equalize from close range.

Tuchel continued, "Manu, who was exceptional in saving us the whole night, made a mistake that he won't make in the next 100 years."

 

After a cross from Antonio Rüdiger on the left, born striker Jocelú gave Madrid the lead in stoppage time by deflecting the ball into the net in just one minute.

 

The players from Real Madrid and the Bernabeu audience took a few moments to celebrate the victory after the linesman initially raised the flag for offside. Due to the offside ruling, Bayern argued fiercely when the referee blew the final whistle, preventing them from having an opportunity to equalize.

 

After taking on Rüdiger one-on-one, Davis, who came on to the field in the 27th minute to replace the injured Serge Gnabry, gave Bayern the lead by cutting back inside and shooting with his right foot into the far corner beyond Andriy Lunin, the goalie for Madrid.

 

After a few minutes, Madrid believed they had tied the score, but a video review determined that defender Nacho Fernandez's foul on Joshua Kimmich was offside.