Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich with Marco Asensio winner
Bayern Munich 1 - 2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich with Marco Asensio winner

26/04/2018

Real Madrid will be firm favourites to reach another Champions League final after winning 2-1 away to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their semifinal.

Madrid, who are looking to become the first team to lift the European Cup in three successive seasons since Bayern won between 1974-76, trailed to a Joshua Kimmich goal before Marcelo and Marco Asensio hit back.

Bayern suffered an early blow when Arjen Robben was forced off injured after only eight minutes, Thiago Alcantara coming on in his place.

But Bayern took the lead just before the half-hour mark, with question marks once again over the goalkeeping of Keylor Navas. Right-back Kimmich cut into the box from the wing and fired powerfully past Navas, who had gambled on Kimmich going for the cross rather than the shot.

Shortly after the home side suffered a second injury blow, this time Jerome Boateng having to be replaced by Niklas Sule.

Madrid had offered next to nothing throughout the first half, and then two minutes before the break they were level. Daniel Carvajal headed the ball across the box and it found Marcelo on the edge of the 18-yard box, and his first-time shot across Sven Ulreich found the bottom corner.

The goal kicked Bayern back into life, with first Robert Lewandowski and then Thomas Muller failing to convert close-range headers before the half-time whistle went.

The second half started evenly, but in the 57th minute Madrid completed the turnaround. Rafinha gave the ball away just inside the Madrid half as Asensio made an interception, and the break was on. Asensio fed Lucas Vazquez, who then played the return ball to Asensio and the striker expertly lifted a shot past the onrushing Ulreich.

Ribery almost brought Bayern level on two occasions straight after the goal, but Navas was equal to his efforts.

Madrid then lost a player to injury themselves as Carvajal had to be replaced by Karim Benzema.

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had scored a fine third on the half volley in the 71st minute, but the goal was correctly chalked off after he brought the ball down with his arm. Benzema then saw a snap shot kept out by Ulreich.

Lewandowski should have levelled two minutes from time, but he could only prod wide when played through.

Bayern couldn't find a leveller, and know they must score at least twice at the Bernabeu on Tuesday to stand a chance of reaching the final for the first time since 2012-13.

Related news

Odsonne Edouard double helps Celtic to two-goal advantage over Rosenborg

Odsonne Edouard double helps Celtic to two-goal advantage over Rosenborg

Odsonne Edouard scored a brace to help Celtic to a 3-1 victory in the first-leg of their Champions League second round qualifying tie with Rosenborg in Glasgow.

Jurgen Klopp hints Mohamed Salah likely to miss World Cup

Jurgen Klopp hints Mohamed Salah likely to miss World Cup

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes Mo Salah is likely to miss the World Cup after leaving the Champions League final injured in the first half.

Real Madrid hero Gareth Bale fuels Premier League speculation

Real Madrid hero Gareth Bale fuels Premier League speculation

Gareth Bale said he wants to be playing every week -- which "has not happened this season" -- after leading Real Madrid to the Champions League trophy in Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool.

Cristiano Ronaldo hints at Real Madrid exit

Cristiano Ronaldo hints at Real Madrid exit

Cristiano Ronaldo cast doubt over his future with Real Madrid after they won the Champions League for the third consecutive season on Saturday in a 3-1 win over Liverpool.

Bale stunner and Karius howlers give Real historic hat-trick

Bale stunner and Karius howlers give Real historic hat-trick

Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 to win the Champions League for a third successive season thanks to a spectacular two-goal substitute appearance from Gareth Bale and a performance to forget for Loris Karius.

Record-setting Liverpool see off Roma to book Champions League final spot

Record-setting Liverpool see off Roma to book Champions League final spot

Liverpool set up a repeat of their 1981 meeting against Real Madrid despite a first Champions League defeat of the season at the Stadio Olimpico.

Real Madrid hold off Bayern Munich to reach third straight Champions League final

Real Madrid hold off Bayern Munich to reach third straight Champions League final

Two goals from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid advance to their third straight Champions League final 4-3 on aggregate after a scintillating 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the second leg of their last-four clash on Tuesday.

Liverpool score five but late goals give Roma glimmer of hope

Liverpool score five but late goals give Roma glimmer of hope

Liverpool scored five but conceded two late goals as Roma gave themselves a glimmer of hope in a 5-2 defeat at Anfield after the home side had swept into a huge lead.

RELATED NEWS

Odsonne Edouard double helps Celtic to two-goal advantage over Rosenborg
Celtic 3 - 1 Rosenborg

Odsonne Edouard double helps Celtic to two-goal advantage over Rosenborg

Odsonne Edouard scored a brace to help Celtic to a 3-1 victory in the first-leg of their Champions League second round qualifying tie with Rosenborg in Glasgow.

Jurgen Klopp hints Mohamed Salah likely to miss World Cup
Real Madrid 3 - 1 Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp hints Mohamed Salah likely to miss World Cup

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes Mo Salah is likely to miss the World Cup after leaving the Champions League final injured in the first half.

Real Madrid hero Gareth Bale fuels Premier League speculation
Real Madrid 3 - 1 Liverpool

Real Madrid hero Gareth Bale fuels Premier League speculation

Gareth Bale said he wants to be playing every week -- which "has not happened this season" -- after leading Real Madrid to the Champions League trophy in Saturday's 3-1 win over Liverpool.

Cristiano Ronaldo hints at Real Madrid exit
Real Madrid 3 - 1 Liverpool

Cristiano Ronaldo hints at Real Madrid exit

Cristiano Ronaldo cast doubt over his future with Real Madrid after they won the Champions League for the third consecutive season on Saturday in a 3-1 win over Liverpool.

Bale stunner and Karius howlers give Real historic hat-trick
Real Madrid 3 - 1 Liverpool

Bale stunner and Karius howlers give Real historic hat-trick

Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 to win the Champions League for a third successive season thanks to a spectacular two-goal substitute appearance from Gareth Bale and a performance to forget for Loris Karius.

Record-setting Liverpool see off Roma to book Champions League final spot
Roma 4 - 2 (6-7) Liverpool

Record-setting Liverpool see off Roma to book Champions League final spot

Liverpool set up a repeat of their 1981 meeting against Real Madrid despite a first Champions League defeat of the season at the Stadio Olimpico.

Real Madrid hold off Bayern Munich to reach third straight Champions League final
Real Madrid 2 - 2 (4-3) Bayern Munich

Real Madrid hold off Bayern Munich to reach third straight Champions League final

Two goals from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid advance to their third straight Champions League final 4-3 on aggregate after a scintillating 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the second leg of their last-four clash on Tuesday.

Liverpool score five but late goals give Roma glimmer of hope
Liverpool 5 - 2 Roma

Liverpool score five but late goals give Roma glimmer of hope

Liverpool scored five but conceded two late goals as Roma gave themselves a glimmer of hope in a 5-2 defeat at Anfield after the home side had swept into a huge lead.