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United KingdomThe last two Champions League quarter-final second legs saw Real Madrid and Bayern Munich head into the last four of Europe’s elite competition. However, the passage was not easy for either. If you missed what happened in Tuesday night’s games there is a recap here.
Real beat Juventus in controversial fashion
Real Madrid recorded a 3-1 win over Juventus at the Bernabeu to head through to the last four 4-3 on aggregate. However, they needed a controversial penalty kick deep into stoppage-time to secure the win with the Italian giants leading 3-0 on the night.
The Bianconeri headed into this clash with a massive deficit to overcome. However, Max Allegri’s side enjoyed a dream start, as after just two minutes Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic headed home at the far post from Sami Khedira’s cross.
The veteran striker scored a second far post header from a Stephan Liechtensteiner cross on 37 minutes to bring the visitors right back into the game. Unbelievably the Turin giants score a third to level the tie on the hour mark, as midfielder Blaise Matuidi capitalised on a terrible error by home goalkeeper Keylor Navas to score from close-range.
The game looked to be heading to extra time after misses from home trio Isco, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, then came a massively controversial moment, as referee Michael Oliver judged that Juventus defender Medhi Benatia had pushed Lucas Vasquez in the area.
Oliver hesitated before pointing to the spot, and then came a mass protest by the Juventus players, which led to veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon receiving a straight red card. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped and smashed the penalty kick past the visitor’s substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to seal the win.
The victory means that the European champions have now made it to the Champions League semi-finals for the eighth consecutive season, a record for the competition. Los Blancos are favourites to left the trophy for a third consecutive campaign.
Bayern scrape past Sevilla
Like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich are accustomed to the latter stages of the Champions League. However, they were made to work hard for their progress to the last four this time around by Sevilla. The Andalucian’s left the Allianz Arena with a goalless draw to go out 2-1 on aggregate courtesy of their first leg home defeat.
The visitors were always up against it in Bavaria, as Vincenzo Montella’s side had to score at least twice to go through. However, in the first period, forward Joaquin Correa and Julian Escudero both missed good opportunities to put the Spaniards back in the tie.
Bayern had chances through Frack Ribery and Robert Lewandowski, but could not hit the target. In the second half, Correa smashed a header against the Bayern bar from an Ever Banega free-kick. The Argentinian midfielder also sent a long-range effort just wide of the Bayern goal. Bayern hit the side netting through Arjen Robben before Correa saw a straight red card for a rash challenge on Javi Martinez.
In the end, Bayern held on comfortably for the aggregate victory. Only European champions Real Madrid can better Bayern’s tally of 11 semi-final appearances in the Champions League.
Will Real Madrid win the Champions League for a third consecutive campaign?
