Bayern Munich faced off against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, but neither team could secure an advantage as they ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
The Opening Moments
The match kicked off with Leroy Sané having a golden opportunity to put Bayern Munich ahead, but Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a crucial save, denying Sané a goal at the Allianz Arena.
Early Pressure from Bayern
Bayern Munich dominated the early proceedings, launching wave after wave of attacks for the first 15 minutes. However, despite their relentless pressure, they couldn’t find the breakthrough as Real Madrid held firm and executed their game plan of resilience.
Real Madrid Strikes First
Real Madrid stunned Bayern Munich by taking the lead with just two touches. Toni Kroos orchestrated a brilliant move, finding Vinicius Jr. who made a swift run, and with a sublime finish, beat Manuel Neuer after Kroos’s exquisite pass.
Halftime Whistle
The first half ended with Real Madrid dictating the pace and leading 1-0. They successfully neutralized Bayern Munich’s attacking threat and went into halftime with the advantage.
Second Half Action
In the second half, Toni Kroos had a chance to double Real Madrid’s lead, but his shot was expertly saved by Neuer in the 50th minute. However, two minutes later, the tide turned in favor of the home team.
Leroy Sané leveled the score with a powerful left-footed strike that Lunin couldn’t keep out. Buoyed by the goal, Bayern Munich surged forward and took the lead 2-1 in the 55th minute with a penalty converted by Harry Kane.
Real Madrid’s Response
Despite Bayern Munich’s offensive efforts, they couldn’t extend their lead. Just when it seemed Thomas Tuchel’s side was in control, Real Madrid equalized through Vinicius Jr., this time from the penalty spot.
Looking Ahead
The second leg of this thrilling encounter is set to take place on May 8th at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The winner will progress to the final on June 1st at Wembley Stadium in London.