SANTIAGO BERNABEU ERUPTS IN JOY AS REAL MADRID ROMPS INTO UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL WITH JOSELU'S LATE BRACE AGAINST BAYERN MUNICH 2-1(4-3 , AGGREGATE)

By Olopade Sakiru

The former Stoke City forward, Joselu sent the 14th time UEFA champions, Real Madrid to 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Final by  two goals to one (4-3 aggregate) against Bayern Munich in a tension soaked match, watched by 76, 579 spectators at Santiago Bernabeu.

The first leg played in Germany had ended in a 2-2 draw, setting up an epic return leg that lived to its billing.

The Carlo Ancelotti men were in a killer mood but Manuel Neuer was at his best, making daring saves in the early part of the encounter.

However, the visitors suffered early blow in the match, when Serge Gnabry was forced off the pitch due to injury.

Thomas Tuchel's tutored side lacked the composure in the attack, until in the 68th when Alphonso Davies broke the deadlock with a rocket shot.

The goal brought out the best in Los Blancos as they were all over the pitch, desperately searching for an equalizer. They had to wait till 88th minute when the super substitute, Joselu was introduced into the game.

Joselu made good use of the opportunity from Vinicius Junior's 22 yard strike which Neuer failed to catch once as Joselu pounced on the rebounce to tap in the leveller.

Barely, three minutes later, Joselu was on song again, scoring the second goal that sent the whole arena into a wild jubilation, though the goal was originally disallowed before it was given after VAR intervention.

What could have been the equalizer in the additional time was disallowed when Matthijs De Light fired the into the bottom corner but the offside flag had already been raised , decision which did not go down well with Bayern Munich players, leaving the German giants to a first season without silverware since 2012.

With Real Madrid securing their 18th appearance in a european cup, the stage is now set for the final, slated to hold at Wembley stadium in June 1st , this year, against Borussia Dortmund that sent packing Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday by two goals to nill on aggregate.