Despite losing 2-0 away to Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund will play in their first and only Champions League final since 1997.
The Spanish side needed a huge turnaround after losing 4-1 a week earlier in Germany. They came close in the first 15 minutes with three very clear chances from Gonzalo Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mezut Ozil, but could not capitalize on their opportunities.
Dortmund, despite losing their best player, Mario Gotze, early in the first half, had two very clear chances by Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan, that were stopped by incredible saves by Diego Lopez.
Real Madrid, needing to win by three goals, seemed to have found their game late in the second half, and scored two goals close together. First in the 83rd minute when Karim Benzema was able to put away a low Ozil cross, and then again six minutes later when Sergio Ramos blasted a shot into the roof of the net.
The German side however, regained their composure and were able to withstand the five minute stoppage time given by the English ref, Howard Webb, to make history and reach the Final, where they will either take on their home-side rivals Bayern Munich or Spanish champions FC Barcelona.
For Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, it was the third consecutive year going out in the semi-finals, and the second straight time Real Madrid has lost to German opposition; last year they fell to Bayern-Munich in penalty shoot-out.
The final will be May, 25, 2013 in London, England.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
