Real Madrid (3) 2-0 (4) Borussia Dortmund: Mourinho on the Brink Despite Late Revival
Borussia Dortmund held off a late Real Madrid comeback to book their place in the Champions League final at Wembley despite defeat in the Bernabeu.
Protecting a 4-1 lead from the first leg handed to them by Robert Lewandowski's four goals in Germany, Dortmund looked to be sailing into the final after keeping Jose Mourinho's side at arm's length for much of the evening.
But Karim Benzema touched home from Mesut Ozil's cross the Sergio Ramos lashed home with two minutes left to set up a grand stand finale as Dortmund stood on the brink of their first leg lead being whipped out.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side, who has already seen to Shakhtar Donetsk and Malaga in the knockout stage, held firm as Ramos headed wide from Real's best opportunity in five minutes of added on time.
While the win for Dortmund sets up a potential all German final with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who defeated Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg a week ago and puts the club into their first European Cup final for 16 years, it ends yet another campaign in Europe's premier club competition for Mourinho, whose wait for a third crown continues.
The future of the Portuguese boss remains in serious doubt having claimed just the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey in three seasons at the Bernabeu.
And Mourinho will be wondering what if after a succession of early chances were passed up by the home side. First, Roman Weidenfeller denied Gonzalo Higuain brilliantly before Cristiano Ronaldo, who was off-colour for long periods, smashed over from 10 yards.
Ozil should have at least cut the deficit but skewed his effort wide, after Ronaldo missed with a volley from six yards and the visitors almost took advantage of Madrid's overzealous early attack as Lewandowski came close.
The second half saw Dortmund twice almost add to their lead as Lewdowski thundered against the bar and then Ilkay Gundogan was somehow prevented from putting the tie beyond doubt as Diego Lopez clawed away his effort.
It was a save that retained Madrid's hope of reaching a first final since 2002, and after the introduction of Kaka and Benzema, the later got one back with eight minutes left, steering Ozil's cross into the roof of the net from four yards out.
The Frenchman turned provider six minutes later as his pull back allowed Ramos, who had already received a second yellow card which ruled him out of the final, to rifle into the roof of the net.
Madrid pilled on the pressure in the latter stages, Ramos heading wide and Gundogan blocking Benzema's shot, but the away side saw out the remainder to book their place in next month's final
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.