Karim Benzema’s double was enough for Real Madrid to edge past Bayern München in a titanic second leg and reach a third straight final.


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Real Madrid reached the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL!

Full Match Highlight Video Real Madrid have reached a third successive UEFA Champions League final thanks to Karim Benzema’s double in a thrilling semi-final second leg against Bayern München.

The tone was set for a remarkably open contest within the first three minutes, Thomas Müller’s right-wing cross only half-blocked by Sergio Ramos and breaking kindly off Corentin Tolisso for Joshua Kimmich – who also struck in the first leg – to slot in.

Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema (R) heads the ball to score a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 1, 2018. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)

Eight minutes later Madrid regained the aggregate lead when Marcelo was allowed to advance from left-back and afforded the time to line up a perfect cross that found Benzema in space to head in at the far post.

Chances continued to come regularly, on-loan Madrid midfielder James Rodríguez firing over from close range after Robert Lewandowski had been denied by Keylor Navas. At the other end Sergio Ramos headed into the side-netting just before the break to Madrid frustration – but it was Bayern heads in hands seconds after the restart.

Tolisso’s back-pass seemed to catch out Sven Ulreich, who allowed the ball to slip under him, leaving Benzema with a tap-in. Cristiano Ronaldo could have wrapped it up from Marcelo’s cross as Madrid looked to finish it off; instead James Rodríguez drilled past Navas at the second attempt to revive Bayern hopes, but Madrid held on in a frenetic final half-hour.

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Key player: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

All eyes were on the Frenchman tonight, who is having something of a lean season domestically, and he responded with two goals that fired his team into yet another UEFA Champions League final. Benzema might not always get the credit he deserves, but his work rate, tenacity and goal contributions are crucial to this Madrid team.


Key stats

Madrid are the first team since Juventus (1996–98) to reach three successive UCL finals
Kyiv will be Madrid’s 16th European Cup final, more than any other club
Madrid are first side to reach 20 UEFA knockout finals
Zidane still not lost a UCL tie as Madrid coach (W11)
Benzema now has 55 UCL goals, group stage to final
James is the seventh player to score both for and against Madrid in the UCL