UEFA: Bayern Cruise Into Last Four, Madrib Rapes Juventus

LAGOS APRIL 12TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Bayern Munich reached the semi-finals of the Champions League after playing out a goalless draw with Sevilla in their quarter-final second leg to progress 2-1 on aggregate.
The hosts began brightly as James Rodriguez, Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski all weighing in with early efforts, the latter heading on target and forcing a save from David Soria.
Sevilla’s opening contributions to the game were two bookings within the first 11 minutes, before Pablo Sarabia rifled an effort high over Sven Ulreich’s crossbar.
Thomas Muller forced a save from Soria on 54 minutes, while at the other end, Joaquin Correa headed against the woodwork and Ever Banega fired just wide of the post from 25 yards on the hour.
Bayern grew more and more frustrated as the game went on, Robben spurning a number of opportunities in the second half.
In another development, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 98th-minute penalty as Real Madrid sensationally booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate win over Juventus.
Ronaldo spectacularly sent Los Blancos into the final four, however, when he converted from the penalty spot after Medhi Benatia had felled Lucas Vazquez, with the aftermath seeing Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon receive a straight red card for dissent.
It took Juventus less than two minutes to make the breakthrough in the Spanish capital, with Mandzukic heading a deep Sami Khedira cross into the back of the net from close range.
Mandzukic then bundled into the arms of Navas from close range as chances continued to arrive at either end.
Juventus then went down the other end and scored their second as Mandzukic headed a super Stephan Lichtsteiner cross into the corner of the net to stun the Bernabeu into silence.
Juventus had their third in the 61st minute, however, when Matuidi tapped home from close range following a poor piece of goalkeeping from Navas, who dropped a routine cross from Costa.
The tension inside the Bernabeu was incredible as the match headed for its final 20 minutes of normal time at 3-3 on aggregate, and with Juventus continuing to cause problems.
It did appear that the contest would be heading for extra-time, but Real Madrid were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when Benatia bundled Vazquez to the ground, and after Buffon had been sent off for dissent, Ronaldo smashed the ball past Juventus’ substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

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