By In a dramatic Champions League showdown, former Stoke City striker Joselu emerged as the hero for Real Madrid, propelling his team to a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over Bayern Munich and securing a berth in the final with a 4-3 aggregate triumph.
Initially, it seemed Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern were destined for the Wembley final as they maintained a lead until the 88th minute courtesy of Alphonso Davies’ second-half strike. However, a shocking error from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had made several remarkable saves earlier in the game, allowed Vinicius Junior’s shot to slip into Joselu’s path, resulting in an equalizer.
As the tension mounted at the Santiago Bernabeu, Joselu struck again in the 91st minute, converting Antonio Rudiger’s cross from close range to secure the victory. Despite a VAR review for a tight offside call, the goal stood, sealing Real Madrid’s dramatic turnaround.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham praised Joselu’s resilience, highlighting the team’s never-say-die mentality. Bellingham noted that Joselu’s performance epitomized the squad’s unity and determination throughout the season.
However, controversy marred the match as Bayern were denied a late equalizer when Matthijs De Ligt’s goal was disallowed for offside. Tuchel criticized the officials’ decision, expressing frustration at what he perceived as a critical error that impacted the outcome of the game.
With their astonishing comeback, Real Madrid secured a spot in the final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1, leaving Bayern and their England captain Harry Kane trophyless in his first season with the club.
