Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (agg. 4-3); Joselu dramatic brace sends Madrid into the finals

Joselu was Real Madrid’s hero, as the former Stoke City striker’s spectacular late double capped a 2-1 comeback triumph over Bayern Munich to advance to the Champions League final on a 4-3 aggregate score. Alphonso Davies handed Bayern a lead that they kept until 88 minutes, when former Stoke striker Joselu struck twice in three minutes.

Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern thought they were on their way to the Wembley final after leading until 88 minutes through Alphonso Davies’ second-half stunner. But Manuel Neuer, who had made four incredible saves earlier in the game, shockingly spilled Vinicius Junior’s shot into substitute Joselu’s path to equalise.

As the pressure at Santiago Bernabeu rose as Harry Kane was taken off by Tuchel with the score at 1-0 to Bayern – Joselu then turned in Antonio Rudiger’s cross from close range in the 91st minute, a winner eventually given after a VAR review of a tight offside call on the forward.

“Joselu… I don’t think he’ll be sleeping much tonight. He’ll be useless in training tomorrow!” said Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham to TNT Sports post-match.

“We’ve seen it a lot of times where it looks like we’re dead and buried. It doesn’t matter who scores the goals – someone always manages it. That mentality of never say die.”

However, there was late controversy as Bayern was not given what seemed like a clear equaliser close to stoppage time when Matthijs De Ligt scored on the half-volley. But referee Szymon Marciniak had already blown for offside before replays appeared to show Bayern’s attackers in the move may have been onside.

“It’s a disastrous decision from the linesman and from the referee. It feels almost like a betrayal in the end because of that decision,” said Tuchel.

“The referee as well, he does not have to whistle. He sees that we win the second ball and get the shot away to whistle. It’s a very, very bad decision and it’s against the rules and it’s a bad decision. It’s a disaster. Tough to swallow. But it’s away.”

The astonishing yet vintage Real Madrid comeback means they will meet Borussia Dortmund in the Wembley final on June 1.