Real Madrid pulled off a staggering Champions League comeback to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in their semi-final second leg and book a place in the decider against Borussia Dortmund with a 4-3 victory on aggregate.
England captain Harry Kane set up Munich teammate Alphonso Davies to score a stunning opener in the 68th minute of the second leg, after the first half was drawn 1-1.
But Bayern collapsed amid a host of questionable substitutions as Real Madrid roared back to claim a sensational fightback victory thanks to two goals in three minutes from their own substitute Joselu.
After a Madrid equaliser from a corner was ruled out due to a clear Nacho foul on Joshua Kimmich in the box, legendary Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – who had been excellent up to that point – spilt a regulation Vinicius Jnr shot straight to the feet of Joselu to poke home in the 88th minute.
“(Before that) there were world class saves after world class saves, but that can happen, it’s football,” said Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Three minutes later the unheralded Spanish striker had the ball in the back of the net again after a cross from Antonio Rudiger, but it was ruled out for offside – only to be correctly overturned by VAR, sparking jubilant scenes at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Face shove denies Real Madrid goal | 00:44
Bayern Munich – having surprisingly substituted many of their best players including Leroy Sane, Jamail Musiala and Harry Kane in a defensive-minded bid to hold on to their lead – nearly scored a leveller deep in stoppage time when Matthijs de Ligt poked home from a long ball.
But the referee had already blown the whistle for offside, meaning VAR could not check or overturn the offside call. It was unclear whether a Munich player was indeed offside in the play, but the referee’s decision to blow the whistle and not let play continue was nevertheless a significant mistake.
The decision incensed Munich players and coaches, as their nightmare season took another dismal turn when the final whistle blew to seal a 4-3 aggregate defeat.
“I don’t want to say that it’s always the referee’s mistake with Real Madrid, but that made the difference today,” said De Ligt.
He added to BeIN Sport: “It’s a big, big mistake, and a big disgrace… the linesman said to me ‘I’m sorry. I made a mistake’.”
Madrid will now face Dortmund, who beat French giants PSG yesterday, in the final on June 1 at Wembley.
“That’s one of the greatest games of football,” Socceroos great Craig Foster said on Stan Sport.
“I think that’s one of the best games of football you’re ever going to see.”
“There have been a lot of times we have looked dead and buried, but we have that mentality of never say die,” Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham said.
It was a magnificent night for Joselu, who had played for Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho 15 years ago but made just two appearances for the senior side.
He has subsequently gone on a journeyman career, including a failed stint at Stoke City, before earning a shock loan deal at Madrid this season from second division Espanyol.
“Joselu deserves it all, he has been an amazing squad member this season,” Bellingham added.
Madrid are into their 18th European Cup/Champions League final as they chase a record-extending 15th crown, while Coach Carlo Ancelotti is into a record sixth Champions League final, having only lost once before.
But for Bayern, it was an 11th defeat to the Spanish giants, the most one side has ever lost to another in Champions League history – and means they will suffer a first trophy-less season since 2011/12.