Joselu’s Late Brace against Bayern Sends Real into Final 

Duro Ikhazuagbe 

Real Madrid’s substitute, Joselu, scored two late goals in three minutes last night  to give the Spanish La Liga champions a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The victory is also Madrid’s 18th Champions League final and sixth in the last 11 years. It certainly was a night of nostalgia for fans of both teams. Bayern got so close to nipping it but it was the hosts who claimed a 2-1 win to set up final clash with Dortmund on Saturday, 1 June at Wembley.

With the first leg deadlocked at 2-2 from Allianz Arena, it was obvious that this semi final second clash was going to be full of fireworks. And it was the visitors who drew the first blood. With a barren first half, Bayern returned from the break more determined to set up an all-German Champions League final following Dortmund’s defeat of PSG in the first semifinal on Tuesday night.

Alphonso Davies fired the Germans into the lead in the 68th minute when he 

cut in and blasted past Andriy Lunin after England captain, Harry Kane, had found him with a superb pass.

That goal puts Bayern at advantage and were looking good to carry the day until when Joselu came on as substitute for Federico Valverde in the 81st minute. Seven minutes later, Joselu grabbed the equaliser when he reacted quickest after Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had been excellent up until then, fumbled Vinicius Jr’s effort.

There was even more drama to come two minutes later when Joselu, a former Stoke City striker, swept home from six yards out from Antonio Rudiger’s square pass to put the 14-time European champions another final.

The goal had originally been given as offside only for a video assistant referee decision to show that Joselu was onside, sparking incredible scenes of celebration in the Bernabeu, with Real hanging on to win 4-3 on aggregate.