Joselu shatters Bayern with Neuer blunder helping Real snatch victory

Just ridiculous. Just Real Madrid.

- Sid Lowe

The team that appears to own this competition, that has some mystical hold over it and has lifted that trophy 14 times, are in the final again because, well, because of course they are.

Bayern Munich had held on, they had survived, and they had scored. They should have scored again, ending this, killing off the team that just won't die, but they hadn't. And yet still, Wembley was so close now.

There were less than three minutes to go on this semi-final, but it turned out to be a lifetime, one they will surely spend wondering how this happened.

Enough time not just for Madrid to equalise but to win it, two goals from the former Newcastle striker Joselu, sent on as a sub, taking them to the final, this place exploding.

It had happened again and it was so cruel, Manuel Neuer - Bayern's saviour dropping the first at his feet on 87.27 and the forward turning the second over the line on 90.02, a goal at first disallowed for offside, but then reinstated, royalty heading through to another final, another chance to wear its crown.

It would be a game of waves, Thomas Tuchel had said, and the first came crashing in after just seven seconds. A loose ball set Vinícius sprinting up the right and winning a corner, standing there in front of the north stand roaring and inviting them to roar too. There was a hint of concern, even nervousness, in the Bayern side, their passing under pressure lacking the precision to give them respite.