In the first leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, the team secured a 2-2 draw thanks to a late penalty scored by Vinicius Junior.
After Bayern dominated the first 20 minutes, the Brazilian forward gave the visitors the lead against the flow of play. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin had denied Leroy Sane after 60 seconds.
However, Sane gave the home team a boost early in the second half, hitting Lunin at his near post with a piledriver before Harry Kane finished the four-minute comeback with a penalty kick.
After that, Bayern dominated the game, but with seven minutes remaining, they gave up a lead when Vinicius sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way after Min-Jae Kim hauled down Rodrygo in the box. As a result, the score was tied.
Sane was denied from an angle after Kane had set him up, and Lunin scrambled back as Bayern moved ahead. Kane then attempted a risky shot from the centre circle that nearly missed.
Before Toni Kroos opened up Bayern with a pass down the middle of their defenders, Real was unable to muster any chances. With a cool finish, Vinicius blew past Neuer, and Kim was to blame.
After Jamal Musiala was taken down on the edge of the box, Bayern had a chance to reply, but Kane’s fierce free kick missed the mark.
After Bellingham set up Kroos, Madrid made their first meaningful effort of the second half. Kroos curved a strong shot towards goal, but Neuer saved it.
But suddenly, Sane hauled the hosts level. The winger cut in from the right and beat Lunin with a powerful shot.
Just minutes later, Lucas Vazquez dangled his left leg out in the box, Jamal Musiala tumbled over, and Kane converted the penalty despite Jude Bellingham’s best efforts to put him off when he was about to take it.
Bayern had an opportunity to extend their lead when Kane’s effort from Noussair Mazraoui nearly missed the mark after deflecting off Antonio Rudiger. Kimmich’s outswinging delivery from the ensuing corner found the charging Eric Dier, who headed directly at Lunin.
After a quiet performance, Bellingham was replaced with fifteen minutes remaining by Luka Modric, who picked out Vinicius, who Neuer denied.
But late in the game, after Kim had foolishly brought Rodrygo down, Vinicius defeated the seasoned goalkeeper from the penalty spot.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti told TNT Sports:
“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.”
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane told TNT Sports:
“A little disappointed. Once we got 2-1 ahead we had two or three good chances. We expected a tough game. Real are one of the best teams in Europe who can punish you with one or two actions.
“It’s all to play for next week. We know we can have chances next week we just have to take them.
“We started on the front foot. Their goal came against the run of play. We struggled to play our game. Second half we played with a higher intensity. We deserved our two goals, shame we couldn’t get a third.”
On what Bellingham said to him before the penalty: “I don’t know what he was saying. I saw him mumbling something. Once I’m in that moment, I’m in my zone, trying to block everyone out. I’m sure he was saying something to try to put me off.”
On scoring 43 goals in 43 games: “It’s been a good season so far. It’s just about the next game. Everything we’re fighting for this year is in this competition. It’ll be tough. We have to go there with full belief.
“I’m here for many years. It’s not a one-off year. At the start of the season the expectation was to win trophies. The Champions League is the biggest one. If we can somehow get our hands on that one it would be an amazing season.
“These are the big games. The atmosphere today was incredible. This is why I want to be playing in these big games, these big moments.”
On Wednesday, May 8, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will play the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu.
Bayern’s Bundesliga trip to Stuttgart is scheduled for this Saturday before then. On the same day, Real Madrid hosts Cadiz at home in La Liga.
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