Real Madrid Storm Into Champions League Final with Dominant Win Over Bayern
Munich, Germany — 29 April
Real Madrid have booked their place in the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League final in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final tie.
The Spanish giants were in commanding form at the Allianz Arena, sealing their progression with a dominant display that saw them triumph 4-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate. Despite Bayern enjoying more possession, they were unable to pose any significant threat to Real Madrid’s defense, while the visitors capitalized ruthlessly on their opportunities.
The match started with an early chance for Gareth Bale, whose volley just missed the target, but it was only a matter of time before Real Madrid struck. In the 16th minute, Luka Modrić delivered a pinpoint corner that found Sergio Ramos, who rose higher than the Bayern defense to head the ball into the net.
Bayern’s hopes were dashed further just four minutes later when Ramos again found the back of the net, this time meeting a Gareth Bale free kick with another well-timed header. The German side, who had been dominant in possession, were left reeling as Real Madrid’s clinical finishing proved decisive.
But it wasn’t over yet. In the 34th minute, a lightning counterattack from the Merengues saw Cristiano Ronaldo score the third goal of the evening, extending his Champions League record to 15 goals for the season—surpassing the previous record of 14 held by Lionel Messi and José Altafini. The score stood at 3-0 at halftime, leaving Bayern with a mountain to climb.
After the break, with the tie all but decided, the match lost some of its intensity. Real Madrid controlled proceedings, content to manage the game and maintain their dominant lead. Ronaldo, however, remained insatiable. The Portuguese forward added a second goal with a stunning free kick, sealing the 4-0 win in the 67th minute.
The second leg was a huge disappointment for Bayern Munich, who had hoped to recover from their 1-0 loss in Madrid. Their efforts were ultimately thwarted by an exceptional Real Madrid performance, and their dreams of defending their European crown were extinguished.
With Real Madrid through to the final, attention now shifts to the second semi-final, where Chelsea will face Atlético Madrid on Wednesday to determine who will join the Spanish club in the final.
