UEFA Champions League: Bayern Eliminates Real Madrid in the Last Moment, and Arsenal Joins Them in the Semifinals

SadaNews - Bayern Munich has secured a spot in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League after renewing their victory over Real Madrid 4-3 on Wednesday in the second leg of the quarterfinals, setting a date with the defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.

Colombian Luis Diaz scored the equalizer (3-3) in the 89th minute, which was enough for qualification after winning 2-1 in the first leg in Madrid, before Frenchman Mikael Oliseh sealed the matter (90+4) after Englishman Harry Kane (38) and Alexander Pavlovich (6) had scored, against three goals from the Turkish Arda Güler (1 and 29) and Frenchman Kylian Mbappé (42) for the royal team, which saw their fellow Frenchman Eduardo Camavinga sent off (86) and Güler (90+5).

The Bavarian team confirmed its strength at Allianz Arena, where they have lost only once in their last 29 matches, including this match, in the Champions League (23 wins and 5 draws), achieving their second consecutive victory over Real Madrid after 8 matches without tasting victory.

On the other hand, the Spanish capital club received another setback, having trailed nine points behind leaders Barcelona in the league, the only remaining title they are still competing for.

Despite the four changes made by coach Álvaro Arbeloa, Real was unable to come out of Munich with "everything" as their player Jude Bellingham stated upon returning to the starting lineup, instead coming out empty-handed against an offensive force that broke a 54-year-old record for the most goals in a single season in the "Bundesliga", scoring 104 goals so far.

On the pitch, after winning the Man of the Match award in the first leg, veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a significant error in sending the ball from his goal as he directed it towards Güler, who shot it directly into the empty net (1).

However, the joy of Madrid fans lasted only five minutes, as Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin erred in dealing with the ball sent by Joshua Kimmich from a corner, which was followed up by Pavlovich into the net (6).

Kimmich nearly scored the second with a shot from inside the area that Lunin deflected to a corner (27), which was executed and turned into a counterattack that resulted in a foul for Real in the penalty area.

From the foul, Güler scored the second for the visitors with a precise shot to Neuer's right, who was late to come out and touched the ball without clearing it, allowing it to enter the net with him (30).

Bayern responded with a ground shot from Serge Gnabry that found Lunin's hands (34), but the equalizer came from Kane when he received a pass from the advancing Frenchman Dayot Upamecano and placed it to the right of the Ukrainian goalkeeper who dived the other way (38).

Brazilian Vinícius Júnior almost scored the third with a powerful shot that hit the crossbar (41), before playing from a counterattack, giving a decisive pass to Mbappé who faced Neuer and placed the ball in his net (42).

In the second half, Mbappé had a chance to score the fourth, but Neuer saved his close-range shot this time (54), and then denied Uruguayan Federico Valverde's shot (66).

On the other hand, Bayern tried twice through Oliseh (68 and 77) and once through Upamecano (75).

Substitute Camavinga received two yellow cards in eight minutes (86), then Luis Diaz scored the equalizer that qualified them for the semifinals with a wonderful shot from outside the penalty area (89), before Oliseh confirmed the qualification with the victory as well, following a counterattack and individual effort, shooting into the right corner of the goal (90+4).

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Güler was sent off with a direct red card.

Arsenal to Renew Rivalry with Atlético Madrid

English Arsenal reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League by drawing 0-0 with their Portuguese guest Sporting in the second leg of the quarterfinals.

Arsenal secured their place in the last four, where they renew their appointment with Spanish Atlético Madrid, which was defeated by the London club 4-0 in the unified group stage, thanks to their 1-0 away win last week, scored by German Kai Havertz in stoppage time.

This marks Arsenal's second consecutive semifinal qualification during a critical time for them in the grueling final stretch of the season, after losing three of their last four matches across various competitions leading up to this night.

The London team missed their first opportunity for a trophy this season by losing the local League Cup final to Manchester City 0-2, then exited the cup competition in the quarterfinals at the hands of Southampton, a team that plays in the second-tier "Championship" league.

The frustrations did not stop there for Spanish coach Mikel Arteta, as the shocking defeat at the Emirates Stadium against Bournemouth (1-2) restored hope for Manchester City by depriving the London team of their first Premier League title in 22 years, specifically since the days of French coach Arsène Wenger in 2004.

Arsenal's lead is now only 6 points ahead of Manchester City, who has a game in hand and hosts Arteta's team in a very decisive clash on Sunday.

Wednesday's match was the 54th for the London club this season, in a grueling schedule that is beginning to show its effects on the players.

Arsenal has suffered from injuries throughout the season, and several of Arteta's players looked exhausted against Bournemouth, with Norwegian Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Dutch Jurrien Timber missing, joined by Italian Riccardo Calafiori on Wednesday, while Declan Rice participated after doubts arose regarding his absence from Tuesday's training.

Arsenal was the better party from the outset, but without real chances on goal, as Sporting was closer to scoring through Trincão after a mistake from French defender William Saliba and a pass from Danish Morten Hjulmand, but the ball went past the post (18).

Sporting could have entered halftime still close to their London hosts, but luck was against Mozambican Jeni Katamo as his volley shot from a cross by Uruguayan Maximiliano Araújo hit the right post (43).

Not much changed at the beginning of the second half, witnessing Havertz's entry in place of Swede Victor Jökeres, as the latter did nothing against his former team, but with greater threat for Arsenal, who had two chances through Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli (56) and Nuno Madueke (57) that did not find their way to the net.

As the minutes progressed, Sporting imposed their control but without reaching the goal of Spanish goalkeeper David Raya, before Arsenal regained the initiative in the final minutes, coming close to scoring had it not been for the right post stopping a header from Belgian substitute Leandro Trossard (84).

In the end, Sporting remained winless on English soil since March 2005 against Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup (5 defeats and 6 draws since then), allowing Arsenal to advance to the semifinals.