Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich 2-1 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, April 12. Here are all the highlights from the match.
Bayern Munich received a blow before kickoff of their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Real Madrid, as Robert Lewandwoski was forced out of the squad with an injury.
They were pegged back in the opening exchanges, too, as Real dominated both possession and territory. But Bayern were strong at the back, and restricted Real to only one decent chance, a Karim Benzema header that was kept out by an exquisite Manuel Neuer save.
The German side improved after that, and took the lead in the 25th minute, when Arduro Vidal finished Thiago Alcantara’s corner with a bullet head Keylor Navas got a hand to, but couldn’t keep out.
There was controversy on the stoke of halftime, when a Franck Ribery effort struck Dani Carvajal somewhere around the shoulder. The ref deemed it a handball, and awarded Bayern a penalty, though replays suggest the ball hit Carvajal on the upper part of his chest.
Vidal couldn’t convert the spot kick, however, blazing his effort well over the bar. It was a massive let off for Real, though a 2-0 deficit would’ve been harsh based on the balance of play.
Zinedine Zidane’s side started well in the second half, and equalized in only the 47th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo volleying in from a Carvajal cross.
Things went from good to better for Real from there, as Javi Martinez was sent off after two yellow card tackles early in the second half.
The visitors began to dominate after that, unsurprisingly, as 10-man Bayern tried to limit the damage.
They had Neuer to thank for keeping things close. The keeper made stunning saves from Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, but he was also partly at fault for Real’s second goal, allowing the ball to squirm through his legs after another Ronaldo header.
This could have gone a lot worse for Bayern after Martinez’s red card, but they face a massive task to overhaul Real’s lead at the Bernabeu next week.
Next: Pep Guardiola, and the art of overthinking
Highlights
"Big moment in the 1st half: Neuer’s fingertip save on Benzema. #FCBRMA #UCL https://t.co/R02yQGFyDy— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 12, 2017"
"Arturo Vidal scores his third goal in the past two #UCL games to give Bayern the lead vs Real Madrid! #FCBRMA https://t.co/2pnMdxHiBF— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 12, 2017"
"There he is! @Cristiano pops up for his record 96th career #UCL goal to get Real Madrid level. #FCBRMA https://t.co/vfUiJ2DYaY— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 12, 2017"
"Manuel. Neuer. 😱 #FCBRMA https://t.co/gaV6qCL8pG— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 12, 2017"
"Ronaldo gets another past Neuer for his 100th goal in all European competitions! More importantly, Real up 2-1. #UCL https://t.co/qP47mxISTO— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 12, 2017"
The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18 at 2:45 p.m. ET.