UCL Semi-Final Roundup: Dortmund prevail, inevitable Real Madrid

After two weeks of Champions League drama, it is time to summarize the key moments in the two matches:

PSG 🇫🇷 vs. Borussia Dortmund 🇩🇪

(Image via Sky Sports)

What was a surprise omission into the semi-finals proved to be one of the most exciting matchups to date. PSG headed into this match with a hunger for a much-needed UCL trophy. The club was purchased by Qatar Sports Investment in 2011 with one goal in mind: to win the Champions League. In the past 13 years, PSG has endured underwhelming runs mixed with nearly moments (that being the loss to Bayern in the UCL final in 2020). In those 13 years football witnessed the biggest stars sign for the French giants: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, etc.) Despite all these names, PSG has nothing but a handful of Ligue 1 titles to show for. With this reportedly being Kylian Mbappe's last season for the club, a UCL title was needed.

On the other side of the tie, Borussia Dortmund was the biggest surprise in this season’s UCL final. The German club had not reached a Champions League final since 2013 and since then the club has not been very successful in Europe. The German giants were constantly overshadowed by Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and the squad was never strong enough to compete in Europe. In 2013, Bayern beat Dortmund to win the UCL, it was clear that Dortmund was desperate to bring a shiny trophy home to its faithful fans.  

The tie was exciting, in the home leg Dortmund edged a 1-0 win over PSG with a Niclas Füllkrug goal separating the sides. In Paris, it was going to be a tough test for the German side, a test they passed with flying colors. In the 50th minute, a corner was swung in and Mats Hummels headed the ball home to give Dortmund a 2-goal advantage, one they kept until the full-time whistle. Despite constant PSG attacks, the French team could only muster up attempts which cannoned off the woodwork four times, Mbappes’ last season for PSG ended in similar fashion to his previous seasons, heartbreaking. 

Real Madrid 🇪🇸 vs. Bayern Munich 🇩🇪

(Image via beIN SPORTS)

Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League is seemingly a frequent fixture, both teams have a lot at stake in the Champions League, yet, Real Madrid tends to prevail. Real Madrid has a special aura in the Champions League, beating them is not easy, and that is proven with their 14 trophies in the competition. Naturally, Madrid was a favorite. 

In their respective leagues, Bayern Munich failed to win the Bundesliga for the first time since 2012 while Real Madrid was crowned champions in La Liga. An attack of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham is intimidating. On the other hand, Harry Kane has netted 40+ times this season for Bayern and was determined to earn his first career trophy with the German giants. 

The first leg in Germany was dominated by Bayern. Vinicius Junior put Real Madrid in front after a few minutes despite early Bayern pressure, but the Germans kept pushing and an early second-half turnaround from Leroy Sane and Harry Kane put the Germans 2-1 up until an equalizer from the spot by Vinicius Junior. 2-2. The second leg was thrilling. Both sides attacked and Alphonso Davies fired a shot into the Real Madrid net to put the Germans ahead. Heading into the 88th minute it seemed as though Bayern would prevail until a poor mistake from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer helped senior forward Joselu tap the ball in to level the score. Two minutes later Joselu tapped the ball into the net to turn the game around in Madrid’s favor, a classic Los Blancos UCL comeback. Controversy came when De Ligt smashed the ball into the Real Madrid net deep into stoppage time, however, a huge referee offsides mistake chopped the goal off. The replays later showed that the goal was not offsides but due to an early whistle, the goal could not be checked. Controversially, Real Madrid went through. 

Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund in the 204 UCL final in London on June 1st. Both sides will be eager to take the trophy home, but only one side can do it. What a game this will be!