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Real's Cristiano Ronaldo. Picture taken from www.cbc.ca

 It was a very exciting game, but penalties are always a lottery 

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Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have put the home side on its way to the final with two early goals, but just like its Spanish rival Barcelona the evening before, Madrid faltered and Arjen Robben's 27th-minute penalty leveled the score over two legs at 3-3.

In the shootout, Manuel Neuer saved from Ronaldo and Kaka to put Bayern on course after it had scored its opening two kicks, but counterpart Iker Casillas denied Toni Kroos and Philipp Lahm to drag Madrid back into it.

After Xabi Alonso scored Madrid's first, Sergio Ramos sent his shot high over the bar and Schweinsteiger sent his effort straight down the middle to ensure four-time champion Bayern will become the first team to play the final on its home ground.

The final is on May 19 at the Allianz Arena.

Defending champion Barcelona was knocked out by underdog Chelsea on Tuesday despite the London side being down to 10 men for most of the match. Barca star Lionel Messi missed a penalty early in the second half and left the Camp Nou pitch in tears.

Some of Madrid's players were also crying as they walked off with their heads hanging after coming so close to reaching their first final in 10 years.

"It's a big blow for us. It was a very exciting game, but penalties are always a lottery," Casillas said. "We played well, but Bayern are a great team. We now have to concentrate on the league."

Madrid's 2-1 win over Barcelona at the weekend gave Jose Mourinho's side a seven-point lead in the league with four games remaining, but its wait for a first Champions League title since 2002 goes on.

The 20th meeting between Madrid and Bayern maintained a relentless pace in the first half.

Madrid charged out into an early lead after David Alaba handled when sliding to block Angel Di Maria's cross. Ronaldo showed no jitters as he stepped up to drill the spot kick into the right of goal with goalkeeper Neuer guessing left.

Bayern could easily have canceled out Ronaldo's opener minutes later as Robben shot over with only Casillas to beat.

Ronaldo's 10th goal of the tournament made it 2-0 following an excellent buildup that saw the Spanish leaders spread the ball around with Sami Khedira finding Mesut Oezil, who spotted a wide open Ronaldo outside the area to coolly pick his spot low and to the left.

While Madrid thrived off the break, Bayern's reliance on possession and wingers Franck Ribery and Robben finally paid off in the 26th when Pepe was late to cover Mario Gomez, the Portugal centerback booked for bundling the Germany striker down as they chased a ball into the area.

Casillas guessed right and got a touch but could not keep Robben's powerful spot kick out.

Ronaldo and Karim Benzema continued to create problems for Bayern as Benzema curled around the far post after the half hour mark, while Neuer denied Ronaldo from long-range.

Casillas saved from Gomez moments later before capping an electric first half by diving to push Robben's free kick from just outside the area wide.

The European heavyweights kept pushing forward in the second half but, with the stakes rising, neither wanted to expose itself and the chances dwindled, with Gomez heading wide before Neuer pushed Benzema's shot out in the 56th.

Ronaldo couldn't muster up much either as he tamely sent several free kicks straight at Neuer. Gomez wasted a golden opportunity for Bayern when he delayed his shot too long in the 86th, allowing Sergio Ramos and Khedira to smother the chance.

The tempo dipped dramatically in extra-time, when Thomas Mueller replaced Ribery and Gonzalo Higuain came on for Benzema. Madrid conjured up a few more opportunities than its opponent with substitute Kaka misplaying a fine chance in the 112th.

Alaba and Gomez scored Bayern's first two penalties to pressure Madrid, which came apart with its first final appearance in 10 years so close.

Comments

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Tue May 21 22:25:19 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 26, 2012

Rattex-cannot-be-blocked

Hehehehehehehehehehehehe, where are they now, all those who were saying Madrid this and Madrid that. Never underestimate any team.

Bayern vs Chelsea at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich 3 - Chelsea 1

Home ground advantage will play a big role here
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Apr 26, 2012

guiliano

Home ground advantage my foot, the ball is round.
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Apr 26, 2012

Bizzabo

I said it yesterday that Munich will go thru.
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Apr 26, 2012

Abbucs

“……..WELLDONE MY BOYS CHELSEA RULE.......PLAYSTAION OR NOT WHAT COUNT IS GOALS...
MY DREAM FINAL...CHESEA VS BAYERN ......BASED ON CURRENT FORM”

My dream final has come true…I have been following Bayern’s performance lately and I don’t understand why people were regarding them as under dogs to Real Madrid. Messi….out…Ronaldo…out, then would be the time for African stars to shine in the Blues, Drogba, Essien, kalou & Mikel.
SHINE AFRICAN STAARSS SHINE..

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Apr 26, 2012

Rattex-cannot-be-blocked

guiliano
Home ground advantage my foot, the ball is round
============================================
Home ground advantage plays a big role. You should know this if you follow football thoroughly
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Apr 26, 2012

Bdoobs

Boy did I love it...? I could imagine Mo' and Ronaldo in a team hotel Tuesday night watching Barca v Chelsea cracking over a Messi miss and altimate Barca exit not knowing that they will suffer the same fate.

Seeing Mo's back just after the penalty shot out was just priceless...
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Apr 26, 2012

Sneijder

Big game Ronaldo failed yet again. Bottler


Madrid down Bayern is next watch out boys CHELSEA ALL THE WAY
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Apr 26, 2012

CHIZZKOP-BROTHER

Congraaaaaaa to Bayern Munich for defeating Real Madrid the SUPER STARS

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea.
My prediction are always true Chelsea are winnnig this one...........BLUES ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Apr 26, 2012

Sneijder

CHIZZKOP-BROTHER
Congraaaaaaa to Bayern Munich for defeating Real Madrid the SUPER STARS

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea.
My prediction are always true Chelsea are winnnig this one...........BLUES ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mfwetho this our season we are in the two Finals
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Apr 26, 2012

Sneijder

Where was Ronaldo last night no where to be found a mo kentse botlolong Lahn
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