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UCL: Vinicius Jr’s Double Earns Real Madrid 2-2 Draw at Bayern Munich

Highlights:
Vinicius Junior opens scoring before Leroy Sane and Harry Kane net twice in four second-half minutes; Vinicius equalises with late penalty; second leg to be played on May 8.
UCL: Vinicius Jr’s Double Earns Real Madrid 2-2 Draw at Bayern Munich


Vinicius Junior scored a late penalty to earn Real Madrid a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Bayern Munich.

The Brazilian forward gave the visitors the lead against the run of play in the first half after Bayern had dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Leroy Sane denied inside 60 seconds by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
But Sane sparked the hosts into life early in the second half, beating Lunin at his near post with a piledriver before Harry Kane slotted home from the penalty spot to complete the four-minute turnaround.

The stalemate sets up a mouthwatering second leg in Spain next Wednesday.

Real boss and ex-Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti, sacked in 2017 after 15 months in Germany, is eyeing a fifth Champions League title as a coach.

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, who leaves at the end of the season after the Bavarians missed out on the Bundesliga title for the first time in 12 years, has never lost a semi-final.

Now, he faces a stern test at the Bernabeu next week if he wants to emulate his title success with Chelsea in 2021.

TALKING POINT — MISTAKES

It was a funny old game. Real Madrid were not exactly coasting but looked comfortable after the break, knowing a one-goal advantage from this away leg would make them firm favourites to make the Wembley final.

And then, it all changed in a flash. Credit to Thomas Tuchel for making a half-time change, and credit to Sane and Musiala as well, who orchestrated the comeback and gave Bayern every chance of beating Real on the night.

But ultimately, it was spoils shared due to mistakes, with Kim undone for the first goal and then gifting Real their second as well.

“It doesn’t matter what level you play at. Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes will cost you dearly,” Steve McManaman said on TNT Sports co-commentary. “Why is he making that decision with Dier sweeping behind him?”

PLAYER RATINGS

Bayern Munich: Neuer 6, Kimmich 6, Kim 3, Dier 6, Mazraoui 5, Laimer 5, Goretzka 4, Sane 7, Muller 5, Musiala 7, Kane 6. Subs: Guerreiro 6, Gnabry 6, Davies n/a.

Real Madrid: Lunin 6, Lucas 5, Rudiger 6, Nacho 5, Mendy 6, Valverde 5, Tchouameni 5, Kroos 7, Bellingham 5, Rodrygo 6, Vinicius Junior 8. Subs: Camavinga 6, Modric 6, Brahim 6, Joselu n/a.

KEY MOMENTS

1’ BIG SAVE ALREADY! - What a start that almost was for Bayern inside 45 seconds… Kane puts Sane through on goal but from a narrow angle Lunin makes a crucial save with his feet.

24’ GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 0-1 REAL MADRID (VINICIUS JUNIOR) - CLINICAL. Kroos. Vinicius Junior. Goal. It’s a sublime through ball from Kroos that opens up the Bayern defence, and with Neuer reluctant to come out, it’s all too simple for Vinicius Junior from 15 yards out as he slides his effort past the Bayern ‘keeper.

53’ GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 1-1 REAL MADRID (SANE) - WOW. From nothing! Two touches take Sane into the area from the right-hand side and seemingly out of the blue he strikes it with immense power, past Lunin and into the goal at the near post. “That should not go in,” says McManaman, but it was past Lunin in a flash!

56’ PENALTY TO BAYERN - It’s a penalty to Bayern, with Vazquez dangling out a leg and fouling Musiala in the area… Kane to take!!

57’ GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 2-1 REAL MADRID (KANE PENALTY) - It’s a stutter from Kane and he rolls it to Lunin’s right as the goalkeeper dives left. ANOTHER player with that stutter run-up to see where the ‘keeper goes first. It’s the Vogue penalty.

82’ PENALTY TO REAL MADRID - It’s sloppy from Kim… He brings down Rodrygo and that isn’t getting turned over.

83’ GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 2-2 REAL MADRID (VINICIUS JR PENALTY) - Vinicius Jr has to wait for what feels like an age, but eventually he slots the ball virtually down the middle, and suddenly it’s level on the night and arguably advantage Real if it stays like this.

MANAGERS SPEAK

Tuchel — Bayern will need to be brave at Bernabeu 

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel says his side will need to be brave in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

Ancelotti: We can play better

"Interesting game. We could play better. We didn't play our best. We had problems in the first half with a low block, too deep. We started to put pressure and it was much better.

"We tried to change something in the second half. We started really well and conceded two goals when our moment was good. The game was difficult at 2-1 down.

"Vinicius is starting to understand how it's important for him to move inside the pitch and not only close to the line. He learned really well how to move.

"[The second leg] will be exciting. Open. You never know what will happen."

On substituting Bellingham: "Bellingham was tired. He had cramps."

Opta Stats: Kane tops goal contributions in Europe

When avoiding defeat away from home in the first leg of a knockout stage tie in the Champions League, Real Madrid have progressed on 18 of the previous 19 occasions - the only exception being against Ajax in the Round of 16 in 2018-19 (won 2-1 away, lost 4-1 at home).

Real Madrid have drawn four consecutive games for the first time in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, but remain unbeaten in 11 games in the competition this term (W7 D4).

Harry Kane has been directly involved in 11 goals in the Champions League this season (eight goals, three assists); the most ever by an English player in a single campaign in the competition.

Harry Kane is the joint-top scorer across Europe's big five leagues in all competitions this season (43 - level with Kylian Mbappe), while the striker now has the most combined goals and assists of any player (54 - 43 goals and 11 assists).

Since the start of the 2021-22 campaign, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior has been directly involved in more goals in the UEFA Champions League than any other player (31 - 16 goals, 15 assists).

What's next?

Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich
Saturday 4th May 2:20pmKick off 2:30pm

Real Madrid will host Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday May 8. Kick-off 8pm.

Before then Bayern travel to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Arena; kick-off 2.30pm. Real Madrid are at home to Cadiz in LaLiga on the same day; kick-off 3.15pm.





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