Real Madrid 0-0 Bayern (agg 2-2) – Champions League semi-final LIVE

Joshua Kimich has resorted to using his hands to stop Vinicius Jr.

The Brazilian winger dances around him once again and as Kimmich is falling over, his arm swipes at the ball.

It warrants a free-kick which ends with Dani Carvajal blasting over the bar.

Real Madrid are all over Bayern Munich, I’m not sure how they are surviving.

WOW, WOW, WOW! How are Bayern Munich still in this?

I know why, it’s because of Manuel Neuer. Vinicius Jr. once again roasts the Bayern backline before unleashing a fine strike.

It’s a brilliant effort, but Neuer gets a strong hand to it, and to be honest, I’m not sure how.

Both Vinicius and Neuer have been by far and away the best players tonight.

Guess what? Manuel Neuer comes to Bayern’s rescue again.

He leaps across at full stretch to deny Rodrygo with a sensational free-kick.

The set-piece came from Jude Bellingham selling Konrad Laimer a hot dog.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Bernabeu:

This is a Vinicius Junior world right now. He has lit up his second half and the home crowd have responded.

Vinicius Jr. is lighting up this semi-final, Bayern Munich can’t handle him again.

The winger darts into the area and bamboozled Matthijs de Ligt before somehow threading it into Rodrygo.

The Brazilian striker gets his foot to it, but his close-range strike rolls wide of the mark.

The Bernabeu has suddenly sprung into life after that chance.

Harry Kane just shoved Ferland Mendy back into the quarter-final.

The Bayern Munich striker shows his strength to push Mendy off the ball as he breaks on the counter-attack.

He then decided to go for goal, but Andriy Lunin is equal to his strike.

Vinicus Jr. is having a field day on the left-hand side.

he is drifting past Joshiua Kimkmich with regularity, but once again his final ball is not turned home.

I’m not sure Kimmich knows where he is…

The Bayern Munich fans have been on top form tonight, they are making more noise than the Real Madrid fans at the moment.

During half-time they really enjoyed themselves, just listen to the noise they were producing.

Alphonso Davies just nearly took the net off, well, it would have if he managed to find the target.

The Bayern makeshift winger lets fly of a ferocious effort which takes a slight deflection.

It looks like it’s heading in, but it skims the roof of the net.

That is brilliant from Eric Dier!

Vinicius Jr. dances past Joshua Kimmich as if he’s not there, but his low cross that is set to find Rodrygo is well cleared by Dier.

If Dier didn’t do that, it was surely 1-0.

Bayern Munich come out to loud jeers from the Real Madrid fans, but those boos soon turn to cheers as Los Blancos arise from the tunnel.

The hosts get the ball rolling again. This is going to be a huge second half!

Which side can get the job done?

Paul Scholes, two-time Champions League winner, speaking on TNT Sports:

I think Bayern’s forward players have been a little bit disappointing. (Jamal) Musiala hasn’t really got into the game. (Leroy) Sane has been in a couple of decent positions and his final ball has let him down.

Owen Hargreaves, two-time Champions League winner, on TNT Sports

I was expecting more. It’s not been vintage from either team. It feels like one of those cagey games where they are afraid of making mistakes.

It’s hard to believe Manuel Neuer is 38…

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper is the reason the score is still level, he made two huge saves in the first half.

Let’s have a look at the first one. Neuer showed brilliant reactions to deny Rodrygo following Vinicius Jr.’s strike that came back of the post.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Bernabeu:

Bayern will be pleased with how that half played out. They have soaked up a lot of pressure but haven’t given away too many clear chances while their own threat on the break is clear.

Anthony Taylor blows the whistle for half-time.

We are still where we started. It’s not been as lively as last week, but there have still been chances, mainly for Real Madrid.

The hosts have hit the post and forced Manuel Neuer into a couple of big saves.

Meanwhile, Harry Kane’s one opportunity came inches from opening the scoring for Bayern Munich.

The visitors will certainly be the happier of the two sides at the break.

Just the one minute of stoppage time at the Bernabeu.

I reckon this one will just peter out before the whistle, actually, just as I was typing, harry Kane nearly raced through.

Just as I was typing the last post, Noussair Mazraoui tests Andriy Lunin from distance, but it was an easy save.

It’s only their second shot of the night.

It’s like Bayern Munich have decided they need to hold the ball for a bit.

Following Manuel Neuer’s big save, the visitors have stroked it around trying to find an opening.

They haven’t found it yet.

Manuel Neuer comes up big for Bayern again!

I thought the ball was about to nestle in the back of the net as Vinicius Jr’s cross evades everybody, but Neuer gets across to divert it wide.

It feels like that’s the kind of weird effort that would open the scoring. It doesn’t this time.

Are Bayern Munich playing with 12 players?

The visitors always seem to have a man there to deny Real Madrid as they go forward.

Vinicius jr dances around a couple of defenders inside the area but is then greeted by another, and the German side hook the ball clear.

Toni Kroos is putting on a passing clinic at the Bernabeu.

Bayern Munich are giving their former star so much room, for some reason, and he is just clipping the ball all over the park.

It’s a joy to watch.

Leroy Sane is fast, but he’s not that fast.

Harry Kane tries to set him away, but the ball is miles in front of him and Nacho sweeps it up with ease.

Bayern Munich are just waiting for that lapse in concentration from Real Madrid, so they can pounce.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Bernabeu:

Harry Kane a picture of frustration at the moment (as I type this he forces a save from Lunin with a volley) simply because he doesn’t feel he is getting enough protection from the Polish referee.

I just heard an ‘ooooh’ in the office, Harry Kane comes so close to giving Bayern Munich the lead.

The England captain hits a stupendous volley on the turn and it takes an Andriy Lunin save at full-stretch to divert it wide.

That would have been exceptional.

Serge Gnabry is down, it looks like he has done his hamstring.

He just can’t catch a break, he has only just returned from injury, and then bang, he gets another.

The German attacker can’t carry on, Alphonso Davies comes on in his place.

Is this Davies’ audition for a Real Madrid move?

Jude Bellingham, that is lovely.

He dances around several Bayern players, avoiding challenges left, right, and centre, before spraying the ball out wide.

The chance comes to nothing though, it deserved more.

Leroy Sane is definitely looking the most threatening for Bayern Munich, but that final ball is letting him down.

This time Konrad Laimer bursts forward and tries to set him away, but his touch lets him down.

The aggressive nature of Real Madrid is now coming to fruition.

First, Ferland Mendy gives away a foul before Federico Valverde wipes out Konrad Laimer.

Neither get a yellow card, though.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Bernabeu:

The pattern seems to be set. Real Madrid pressing in what is a 4-4-2 formation (Bellingham on the left) with Bayern trying to get them on the counter.

Now it’s Bayern Munich’s turn to worry Real Madrid.

Leroy Sane gets in on the right-hand side, but his cross into the box is really poor, it’s cleared with ease.

I’m not sure why, but Sane tried to use his left foot to clip the ball into Harry Kane, he should have just used hi right. So one-footed…

That moment just shows how Real Madrid can rip you open in a matter of seconds.

Bayern Munich looked safe, Madrid weren’t threatening, and then they switched off for just a second, and bang!

They will have to stay switched on all night.

Oh my word, how are Real Madrid not ahead.

Vinicius Jr rattles the post after a lovely ball from Dani Carvajal, and then Manual Neuer makes an incredible save to deny Rodrygo on the follow-up.

My mouth is still wide open, I can’t believe it.

Serge Gnabry, you have to do better there.

He is slid through on the left-hand side and just has to square it for Harry Kane to tap home.

he gets it all wrong and his pass, or maybe even shot, goes out for a goal-kick…

What a start to this game, though.

Ooooooh, Rodrygo comes within an inch of opening the scoring.

He slides in to try and meet a low cross but misses it by a fraction of a second.

If he got his foot to it, it surely would have been 1-0.

What an interception by Toni Kroos.

Harry Kane looks to send a pass through the eye of a needle to send Leroy sane through, but Kroos cuts it off.

It’s clear already that Bayern are happy to sit back and try and counterpunch.

What do they tell you to do when you are a youngster… play to the whistle.

For some reason, Leroy Sane doesn’t do that. Konrad Laimer launches the ball to him as Ferland Mendy is wrestling to win it.

Sane decides to stop and ask for the foul, which isn’t given… odd.

Real Madrid are straight on the front foot, they aren’t messing about.

The hosts win a corner in the opening seconds, but Toni Kroos’ set-piece is cleared by Bayern Munich.

Vinicius Jr is already trying to hype up the fans in the corner as well.

The noise inside the Bernabeu is deafening.

It’s a cauldron of noise as Bayern Munich get the second leg underway.

Let’s see who will come out on top!

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Bernabeu:

Watching Carlo Ancelotti walk down the tunnel shaking hands with old acquaintances from Bayern Munich, he looks like a coach at the peak of his powers.

The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up.

The atmosphere inside the Bernabeu is incredible as the two teams walk into the cauldron.

It’s some spectacle too, each fan in the home section is holding up a sign to make one huge mosaic.

This is the Champions League at its very best.

Sam, France: Harry Kane, it’s your day… every British person is behind you.

Manuel Neuer is arguably one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the game.

He has 58 clean sheets in the Champions League, the most in history, one more than Iker Casillas.

Can he add another to his tally tonight?

Paul Scholes, two-time Champions League winner, speaking about Jude Bellingham on TNT Sports:

Going from Dortmund to Madrid at 20 years of age. “It’s gonna take him a little time” – it probably takes the best players until they’re 25, 26, 27 – but he’s doing it now.

I keep waiting for him to drop off but it’s not happening. He’s got a big job tonight but you wouldn’t be surprised if he has a big influence on the game.

The music inside the Bernabeu has me grooving behind my desk.

Normally we are used to motivational tracks in the warm-ups to get teams motivated, but Real Madrid are already motivated enough.

I hope they continue with these tracks, I’m really enjoying them. I bet the players are too, although, they are probably too focused to think about it.

Thomas Tuchel, Bayern boss, speaking to TNT Sports:

It’s our last chance to win a title. This competition is a beautiful competition, it’s the most difficult. It would mean a lot (to go to Wembley). We are not here to enjoy this, we are here to play Wembley.

Wow, just listen to that.

This video was taken by Mail Sport’s Football Editor, Ian Ladyman, while the players were checking out the pitch.

The away end may not be full yet, but it certainly sounds like it is.

At the start of the season, this was never a question I thought I’d have to write.

Bayern Munich have had a tumultuous season, relinquishing their stranglehold on the Bundesliga to Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

They also got knocked out of the DFB Pokal and lost the German Supercup. They could go trophyless.

The Champions League is their last chance though, they are just 90 minutes from a place in the final.

Can they do it? Harry Kane will be desperate for them to.

Steve McManaman, two-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, on TNT Sports:

Sometimes you feel the opposition are better than them (Real Madrid), yet they find a way to win the game. That’s the magic of it.

I knew Thomas Tuchel was good, but wow, this would be some feat.

If Bayern Munich win tonight and in turn make the final, Thomas Tuchel will become the first coach to make the final with three different clubs.

Tuchel’s first final was with PSG in 2020, which they lost to… you guessed it, Bayern. A year later he reached the final once again, but this time with Chelsea, and unlike the year before, he reigned victorious.

Time for lucky number three?

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Bernabeu:

The roof is closed at the Bernabeu once again. Real believe it helps their supporters to create a better atmosphere but if the scenes outside as the team bus arrived are indicative of anything then they really won’t need any assistance.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team have lost once all season and that’s the size of the task for Bayern here. I don’t see the German side winning a tight game. Their best chance is to edge a high-scoring affair…or maybe I am just being hopeful.

Harry Kane is having his best season to date, and it could get even better tonight.

Kane has netted 29 goals in the Champions League during his career, and if he scores tonight he will equal the record as the all-time top English scorer in the competition, which is currently held by Wayne Rooney.

He will also be the outright top scorer in the competition. Incredible.

Thomas Tuchel has made three changes from last week.

Matthijs de Ligt comes into the centre of defence, replacing Kim Min-Jae, who struggled in the first leg.

Serge Gnabry and Aleksandar Pavlovic also come in, while Leon Goretzka and Thomas Muller drop to the bench.

Real Madrid make just one change from the first leg.

Dani Carvajal, who missed the 2-2 draw in Munich due to suspension, returns to start at right-back instead of Lucas Vazquez.

Jude Bellingham once again starts at the attacking point of Madrid’s midfield diamond.

I’m really getting excited now, aren’t you?

Both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have arrived at the Bernabeu red to do battle.

I must say, the Bayern players look very relaxed while Madrid’s squad look a little more serious.

Anyway, we will bring you the starting 11s in the next few minutes.

We are still 70 minutes from kick-off, and the Bayern fans have already made their way inside the Bernabeu.

They are not being quiet either, they are more than up for this one. The songs are flowing.

If they carry on in this vein, they won’t be able to talk by the end of the night.

Wow, what a gorgeous trophy.

Whenever I see photos of the Champions League trophy, I always think about how long it takes for them to polish it. It’s spotless.

Anyway, this is what it’s all about. Both teams are potentially 180 minutes from getting their hands on ‘big ears’.

This ramps the pressure up, doesn’t it?

What a sight to behold.

The decision has been made to close the roof of the Bernabeu for tonight’s semi-final, just like it was in the quarter-final against Manchester City.

That match proved why they do it. By closing the roof it holds in the sound, making for a more hostile atmosphere.

It’s going to be extremely loud!

2013, one of those years that, in my opinion, is neither memorable nor forgettable.

I say ‘in my opinion’ because it was certainly memorable for both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

It was the year they faced off at Wembley in the Champions League final, which could possibly be happening again in just under a month. Well, that all comes down to tonight and if Bayern can get the job done.

I feel like I’ve been thrust back 11 years. Next, I’ll be wearing skinny jeans and will have shrunk back down to 5 feet tall. Yes, that’s how tall I was, I mean, I was 13…

Vinicius Jr, what a player!

The Brazilian winger always turns up when Real Madrid need him most, and these semi-final statistics just prove that.

Don’t forget, his goal against Liverpool in the 2022 final won them their 14th Champions League.

He is the definition of a big game player.

Bayern Munich fans, you might want to look away.

Most of the pre-match statistics are very favourable for Real Madrid. If you believe in omens, it’s set to be a delightful night for the newly crowned Spanish champions.

Madrid are unbeaten in their last eight Champions League meetings with Bayern Munich, winning six. They have also won six of their last seven home games against them.

In Bayern’s last 16 Champions League matches against Los Blancos, they have not kept a single clean sheet. It’s the German side’s longest run without a shutout against any club in the competition.

I always say though, stats are there to be broken.

Wow, it’s a sea of red.

The Bayern Munich fans have arrived in Madrid in their numbers, and they all look very uniformed.

The sun is out too in the Spanish capital, it’s a glorious day for it.

They meet again…

While there are no English teams left in the Champions League, there are still England internationals left in it.

Jadon Sancho has already booked his spot in the final, but which of his countrymen will he face, Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane.

The England captain performed better in the first leg, scoring from the spot, despite Bellingham trying to put him off in the build-up to it.

That moment proved that no friendship can get in the way of gunning for Champions League glory. All niceties will be left behind once again when play starts at 8pm.

Which Englishman will end up on the plane back to their homeland?

Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich boss, speaking on Tuesday:

(The Bernabeu) is one of the most difficult stadiums to win in, but it’s not impossible. We had a very good first leg, we were better than them but, unfortunately, we didn’t win. Given that they’re at home, it’s maybe a 51% advantage for Real Madrid. They’re obviously one of the biggest clubs in the world. But we’re also a big club in Europe. That’s why it’s a great matchup.

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager, speaking on Tuesday:

It is a great motivation to live such a day. To live today is amazing. We have to enjoy it, tomorrow (match day) we will be worried. They (Bayern) have a great tradition in the Champions League and we need to respect a rival.

They have done better than us in the first leg. On our defensive level, we could have done much better. We are very excited because we have a great opportunity to get to another final. It could be a magical night for our fans.

Where does the time go, I can’t believe it has been eight days already.

We were provided with a belter in the first leg. It was a match that swung one way and then the other with both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid throwing the kitchen sink at each other.

Vinicius Jr was once again on the money for Madrid, opening the scoring midway through the first half, and in turn, silencing the Allianz Arena.

That soon changed though as the German outfit came out all guns blazing in the second half and overturned Real Madrid’s lead within 12 minutes of the restart through Leroy Sane and Harry Kane.

The Bavarians looked set to take a first-leg lead to Germany, but as they always do, the 14-time winners had the final say. Vinicius Jr secured his brace from the spot to level it up.

If we get anything like we saw last week, we are in for a treat.

Where do I start?

Well, firstly, I imagine there are a few sore heads in the Borussia Dortmund camp this morning, what a night it was for them.

The German side were exceptional last night in Paris as they ended Kylian Mbappe’s dreams of signing off from PSG with a Champions League trophy.

Dortmund defended for their lives but rode their luck too, and Mats Hummels’ second-half header means they will take to the Wembley turf once again in a Champions League final.

Let’s be honest, nobody expected to see the Bundesliga side in the final. Most people thought they wouldn’t even make it out of the group stage.

Well, they have defied the odds, and it’s fully deserved. The question is though, who will they be facing?

Nights don’t get much bigger than this.

After an incredible first leg in Munich, the tie is perfectly poised. The two sides really put on a show for us last week.

In a way though, it’s like we have a clean slate. Now that away goals don’t exist, we can forget the first leg result. It’s going to be a straight shootout for a place in the final.

Real Madrid surely have the advantage. They are coming into the game off the back of securing their 36th La Liga title at the weekend, while they will also have the backing of a home crowd. Los Blancos also just carry the aura that they cannot be beaten, don’t they?

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost once again at the weekend, as their nightmare domestic campaign is nearly over.

However, Bayern have been a different prospect in the Champions League. You certainly can’t count them out of this one.

Whatever happens, this one is going to be a cracker.

What is it that ABBA song again? ‘The winner takes it all’…

Well, the song certainly rings true tonight. The stakes don’t get much higher, as shown at the Parc des Princes last night by the outpour of emotion.

Both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have been here before, they know what it takes, but one of them must lose.

So, which team will line up in the tunnel at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund on June 1?

Are we set for a repeat of the 2013 final, or will Los Blancos secure a spot in the final for the 18th time in their history? We will know in four hours.

Get yourselves comfy, it’s going to be one hell of a night.