Cristiano Ronaldo is going home. The now record-holder for most Champions League goals in a UCL season led his team to a 4-0 (5-0 aggregate) victory over defending champions Bayern Munich, to reserve a spot in the final back home in Portugal.
Both teams came out showing nerves, but in the 16th minute Real Madrid opened the scoring. A Luka Modric corner found the head of an unmarked Sergio Ramos and the route was on.
Bayern knew it was going to be an uphill battle conceding an away goal early, and then Sergio Ramos struck again on a set piece from Angel Di Maria, flicked on by Pepe to make it a 2-0 (3-0 aggregate).
It only got worse for Bayern Munich. The German power seemed to be passing just for the sake of passing and never really posed much of a threat to Los Blancos. Down two, Pep Gaurdiola’s side tried to push forward, but it left them exposed on the back end to one of the best countering teams in the world. Karim Benzema released speedster Gareth Bale down the middle of the pitch, and the Welshman found Cristiano Ronaldo who broke the UCL scoring record to put an end to Bayern’s repeat title hopes.
The second half almost looked as if Bayern had realized their fate. The Germans just couldn’t find their form anywhere on the pitch. Aside from two chances from Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, they never posed a threat to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Ronaldo went on to score another on a set piece in the 89th to seal Bayern’s fate.
"We worked very well together, showing the quality we have and executed the perfect match," Carlo Ancelotti told Real Madrid's official website.
"I'm not surprised," Ancelotti continued, "These players have done very well. It is a great happiness for all. The first half was fantastic. I thank the players and everyone. It is 12 years since Madrid played a Champions League final and it is good for everyone."
Ancelotti did lose midfielder Xabi Alonso for the final, due to a silly foul that resulted in a yellow.
Pep Guardiola took blame for the defeat, saying, “We played badly, that’s my responsibility. We are at the highest level in Europe and such errors are punished. I’ll try to lift the players.”
Guardiola has taken heat from German supporters for his possession-filled style, and it seemed like his side just wasn’t ready for the bout.
“I’ve had several hard defeats in my career and this is one of them," Guardiola said. "We conceded goals from set pieces, but we played awful, it’s the only reason we lost. There’s no other reason, it’s just football."
Real Madrid will now face the winner of Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. Will it be an all-Madrid final in Lisbon? Or will Real Madrid meet their former manager Jose Mourinho in Estadio da Luz?
No matter what the match up, Gareth Bale believes Real is ready for the pressure. He told ITV Sport. “…This is why I wanted to come to the biggest club in the world, to win trophies, to play in massive games. We know we still haven't won it yet. We will still have a difficult game in the final, whoever it may be, and we are looking forward to it."
