Real Madrid - Bayern Munich summary: score, goals, highlights, Champions League

Bellingham's Dortmund reunion

In his first season since leaving Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham will come up against his former club at Wembley.

Ancelotti: We never stopped believing

Carlo Ancelotti is giving his post-match press conference as we speak. Reacting to Madrid's victory tonight, he has praised his players' never-say-die attitude.

“[We won thanks to] a stadium that pushes us on, a fantastic atmosphere, and a group of players who never stopped believing," Ancelotti told reporters. 

The Italian added: "We didn’t lose our heads when Bayern scored, and bit by bit turned the game around.”

Madrid players close to equalling Gento haul

The European Cup’s most decorated player is Real Madrid legend Paco Gento, who won the trophy six times between 1956 and 1966.

We now have a number of Madrid players who can draw level with Gento: Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Nacho Fernández. I don't think I'm missing anyone out there.

Just under a decade ago, Gento’s record looked pretty much untouchable. Now, though, Madrid can win their fifth Champions League in nine years.

Joselu follows in Rodrygo, Wijnaldum footsteps

Spanish stats guru Mister Chip notes that Joselu has joined Rodrygo and Gio Wijnaldum in the hall of fame of two-goal displays by substitutes in a Champions League semi-final.

Rodrygo's incredible last-gasp double forced extra time against Manchester City two years ago, and Wijnaldum's brace in 2019 brought Liverpool level at 3-3 in their famous last-four comeback against Barcelona.

The countdown to the final begins

Just over three weeks to wait for the Champions League final at Wembley, where Real Madrid will be the overwhelming favourites.

Indeed, early odds collected by Oddschecker show that Madrid are priced at -360 to win their 15th European title.

Dortmund, who have made a habit of upsetting the odds in these Champions League knockout stages, are valued at +275 to win their second continental crown.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Why was Bayern Munich’s late goal against Real Madrid ruled out?

My colleague Roddy Cons has the full lowdownon the late controversy caused by that disallowed Bayern leveller.

Bayern fuming... and appear to have a point

Having just watched Bayern's offside goal again, it's very, very tight. Mazraoui may well have been just on. The video ref should have been given the opportunity to have a look at that.

"This is Real Madrid"

Hard to disagree. You have to kill this team twice, thrice, if you want to beat them.

Joselu's unsurpassed UCL scoring rate

Joselu has now netting five times in the Champions League this term - and, at 54 minutes per goal, his scoring rate is the best in the competition.

"Real Madrid's DNA"

Legendary former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, who (cliché alert) knows a thing or two about late Champions League goals, has tweeted his congratulations to his former club.

“Right up until the final whistle,” Ramos says. “That’s Real Madrid’s DNA.”

Joselu celebrates his winning goal for Real Madrid.

The very definition of super sub

Yep, that's a decent enough impact off the bench. On with nine minutes to go, Joselu has scored with both his shots.

Roncero reacts

"Joselu, you fucking beauty!" -  that's the reaction of AS journalist, and No. 1 Real Madrid fan, Tomás Roncero.

Real Madrid yet to lose Champions League final

At this point (Dortmund fans look away now) I should probably remind you that Real Madrid are yet to lose a Champions League final. They're eight for eight so far.

Los Blancos haven't lost a European Cup final since 1981.

What is Real Madrid's record against Dortmund?

Real Madrid have played Dortmund 14 times before in the Champions League, winning six and losing three. There have been five draws.

They last met in the Champions League knockout stages in 2013/14, when Madrid beat the Germans 3-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

The previous year, in the semi-finals, a Robert Lewandowski-inspired Dortmund reached the final at Madrid’s expense, thanks to a memorable, 4-1 first-leg victory in Germany.

Bernabéu bedlam

As I probably don't need to tell you, it's unbridled joy at the Bernabéu. Rüdiger and Militao are currently waving those white stewards' chairs above their heads, Alaba-style.

The players are now sporting Real Madrid shirts with "a por la 15" - "let's go and win the 15th" - on their backs.

Landmark UCL appearance for Kroos

Tonight was Toni Kroos's 150th Champions League appearance, by the way.

He's one of just seven players to have brought up that milestone.

Another Madrid triumph over Bayern

Real Madrid have now won four straight Champions League knockout ties against Bayern - three of which have been semi-finals.

Madrid to face Dortmund in London on 1 June

Real Madrid are through to their ninth Champions League final, and their 18th in the European Cup. Both, you will not be surprised to learn, are records.

They'll face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, on 1 June.

In London, Madrid will have the chance to lift a record-extending 15th European title.

Bayern are unhappy that the officials blew the whistle early for that offside, instead of allowing the chance to be played through and then having the video ref have a look at it if need be.

As the whistle went before De Ligt's shot into the net, VAR can't give the goal - regardless of whether or not Mazraoui was offside when he connected with the knockdown.

Peeep peep peeeep! Real Madrid are into the Champions League final!

Blimey.

Bayern lift it high into the Madrid area, where Mazraoui heads it down and Müller prods it to De Ligt. 

De Ligt fires low into the net... but the flag was up for offside! 

Madrid breathe.

Marciniak signals that there will be two more minutes of play at the Bernabéu.

Camavinga does well to slide in and win the ball back, giving Brahim the chance to scurry forward down the right, towards the corner. Bayern win it back and will have at least one more attack...

Bayern must be in last-chance saloon by now.

Camavinga is booked for kicking the ball away, before Kim sends a free-kick from deep into the Madrid area. 

Kim's ball is way too long, and arrows right into Lunin's arms.

Bellingham is replaced by Éder Militao.

Just a couple of minutes between Real Madrid and Wembley now.

Mazraoui cuts in from the right and strikes at a bouncing ball... but slices it high up into the air.

Tuchel is booked on the touchline, for giving the officials a little too much lip.

Mazraoui plays it right towards Laimer, who is beaten to the ball by Nacho. The defender boots it out of play, to huge roars of appreciation from the Real Madrid fans. Ah, and to top it off, Nacho earns himself a free-kick for a foul by Laimer.

"Real Madrid just being Real Madrid"

Yep, that's pretty much the size of it.

It's absolutely deafening inside the Bernabéu. "Cómo no te voy a querer" ("How could I not love you") is being belted out around the stadium.

There will be nine minutes of time added on.

Football, bloody hell.

And having got themselves level, Madrid are immediately off in search of a winner.

The ball falls to Brahim at the back post, where his shot is deflected behind. Corner for Madrid...

Modric whips in a corner, but Bayern clear.

And, in the blink of an eye, the visitors are breaking in numbers. Laimer tries to thread the ball through to Pavlovic, leaving him in on goal, but the midfielder is muscled off it by Nacho - and appears to be struggling with cramp.

A double substitution for Bayern: Müller is on for Musiala, and Choupo-Moting is on for Kane.

Madrid come back at Bayern in search of a leveller, working it to Rüdiger to curl a ball into the box. The German's ball is right onto Vinícius's right boot, but he sends his first-time finish over the bar!

Kimmich sends a corner into the Madrid box, where Kim rises highest - and hits the bar! Ah, but a foul is given, so it wouldn't have counted anyway.

Real Madrid make a double substitution. Joselu and Brahim Díaz are on, with Rodrygo and Valverde making way.

Madrid thought they had got themselves level right away, but they're just over 10 minutes - plus stoppage time - away from their first defeat to Bayern in nine meetings between the European heavyweights. 

As things stand, we're going to have a repeat of the 2013 Champions League final.

Bayern make a defensive change, replacing Sané with Kim Min-jae.

Kane is so close to doubling Bayern's lead!

Musiala jinks forward towards the Madrid box, before slipping the ball into Kane's run into the area. Kane strikes first time with his left - but slices it just wide! His shot crashes into the side netting.

Goal disallowed! 

Nacho is indeed adjudged to have fouled Kimmich. No goal.

Bayern remain ahead on the night, and in the tie.

Szymon Marciniak is going to come across to the monitor to have a look at it...

Real Madrid react by making a double change, replacing Kroos and Tchouaméni with Modric and Camavinga.

Madrid haven been turning the screw in recent minutes, but Bayern aren't far from getting a goal against the run of play here.

Musiala scuttles forward on the left, before cutting inside and shooting from 20 yards out - but Lunin does well to parry!

The free-kick is finally worked to Carvajal, who volleys off target from the edge of the Bayern box!

Madrid have got the bit between their teeth right now.

From the right, Kroos lifts a ball into the box, but nobody in a white shirt can capitalise.

A moment later, Vinícius has Kimmich on toast once more, and the German has to handle to stop the Brazilian from bursting past him and into the box.

That's brilliant play by Vinícius - yet again - and Neuer has to produce a stunning stop!

Cutting in from the left, he advances into the Bayern box and curls a powerful strike towards Neuer's far top corner - but, somehow, the keeper manages to beat it out!

Vinícius has been particularly electric since the break.

Rodrygo pings a dipping effort towards Neuer's right-hand post, but the Bayern keeper is across his line quickly and gets a characteristically firm hand to it.

At the other end, Kroos gives it away - a collector's item, that - and Musiala has the chance to run at the Madrid defence. However, his ball out to the right, towards Sané, is off target. Madrid clear.

Back come Madrid. Bellingham wins a free-kick off Laimer just outside of the Bayern box. Rodrygo to take...

Sané brings it over the halfway line, before trying to slip Kané in behind the Madrid defence.

Sané's ball is too strong, though, and he had waited too long to make the pass, anyway. Kane had drifted into an offside position.

How did that stay out!?

Vinícius is absolutely terrorising the right-hand side of the Bayern defence. Running at De Ligt and Sané he fizzes the ball across the area, where Rodrygo turns the ball towards goal first time.

With Neuer rooted to the spot, Rodrygo's finish flies an inch past the far post!

At the other end, Kane outmuscles Mendy in the right-hand channel, before getting it out of his feet and shooting from the edge of the box. Lunin gets a firm hand to it to parry at the near post, and Mendy clears.

Kane feels he was fouled by Mendy as the pair battled for the rebound, but Szymon Marciniak says: nothing doing.

Again Vinícius hares past Kimmich on the right, but again his cut-back into the danger area is blocked! This time it's De Ligt who is in position to cut the pass out.

Bayern keep the ball for another sustained period, seemingly in little hurry to try and create an opening.

This tie is balanced on a knife edge at the Bernabéu.

Having survived that little scare, Bayern break quickly, working it to Davies on the left.

He thunders forward, before winding up a powerful shot towards Lunin's far corner - but Carvajal does enough to get in the way and deflect the strike just over!

And right away, it's almost a tap-in for Valverde!

Vinícius powers past Kimmich and to the left-hand byline, before cutting it back to Valverde in the six-yard box.

For a moment, the Uruguayan looks set fair to prod it into the net from point-blank range, but Dier gets there in the nick of time to take the ball off his toes!

There were no half-time changes for either side, by the way.

Peeeep! We're back underway in Madrid.

Teams coming back out!

The Real Madrid and Bayern players are emerging from the tunnel at the Bernabéu.

There's a nice embrace between Kroos and his former Bayern club-mate Thomas Müller.

What is Real Madrid's record with the roof closed?

In the Champions League, Real Madrid are actually winless so far with the roof closed.

AS USA's Andy Hall has the lowdown on Madrid's record when the Bernabéu roof is shut.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Why have Real Madrid closed the roof at the Bernabéu stadium against Bayern in Champions League?

As I mentioned pre-match, Madrid vs Bayern is being played with the roof shut.

My colleague Calum Roche looks at Madrid's reasons for making the Bernabéu and enclosed arena tonight.

Kroos class

On Spanish TV, the commentary team has been purring at the performance of Toni Kroos tonight.

This stat, courtesy of our friends at SofaScore, is an indication of the quality of Kroos' display so far.

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior (left) battles for the ball with Bayern's Konrad Laimer.

Peeep peeep peeeep! Goalless at the break. It remains 2-2 on aggregate.

For a moment, Laimer looks like he's got Kane in on Lunin. His low, straight through ball tries to find the striker, who has found a pocket of space over Nacho's shoulder, but the pass is just overhit. Lunin darts off his line to clear.

One minute of time added on at the Bernabéu.

Now Bayern do go somewhere with it. From the left, Davies tries to lay it off for Laimer to shoot from the top of the penalty box. 

Laimer is beaten to the ball by Bellingham, but it rebounds right to Mazraoui in space to shoot from 25 yards out. He looks to curl a right-footed effort into Lunin's far top corner, but it's too close to the Ukrainian. Lunin catches it with ease.

Again Bayern keep the ball for an age, without really going anywhere with it.

That's a better delivery by Vinícius, who almost catches Neuer out at his far post.

From the left, Vinícius cuts back onto his right foot and wraps his boot around a low, fizzing ball into the Bayern six-yard box. It skims over the turf and across goal - and almost creeps into the far corner! Neuer does very well to get down and parry.

Vinícius skips past Laimer on the left wing, and is brought down.

That gives Kroos the chance to clip a dead ball into the Bayern box, but his delivery is cleared.

To growing whistles from the home fans, Bayern keep the ball for a very long period. 

They appear to be in no rush to go for the jugular. Finally, Musiala tries to play a one-two with Kimmich at the top of the Madrid area - and loses it.

Bellingham receives the ball on the left wing, before cutting inside and trying to scuttle into space to shoot. He finally pulls the trigger from the edge of the Bayern penalty area, but Laimer is there to block.

Hotshot Harry

Kane's eight goals so far this season, by the way, is the most by an Englishman in a single Champions League campaign.

Madrid pin Bayern back for a good couple of minutes, but can't find a way through the visitors' wall of defenders.

When Bayern win it back, Kane quickly looks to ping a through ball into space for Sané to scamper after, but Nacho does very well to step across and clear the danger. He earns huge cheers of approval from the home crowd.

That's a fine effort by Kane! On the half-turn, the striker absolutely wellies a dropping ball from the edge of the Madrid box, and Lunin has to look alive to turn it behind! Replays suggest it might just have been creeping in at the keeper's left-hand post.

That's Bayern's best moment yet.

Kroos clips the ball to Bellingham, who has peeled off into space at the back post. Bellingham nods it down to Vinícius, who tries a bicycle kick from 10 yards - and fails to connect.

Gnabry is indeed off, with Alphonso Davies on in his stead.

Gnabry is down with what looks like a left leg injury, presumably muscular.

Bayern are going to have to replace him.

On the halfway line, Kane beats Carvajal to the ball and prepares to set off towards Madrid's goal. Carvajal quickly brings him down, and the striker is more than a little cheesed off that the Madrid defender doesn't earn a booking for his troubles.

On the counter, Madrid work it to Rodrygo, who skips past Masraoui and towards the byline. 

He has Vinícius waiting in the middle, and plays it to him - but the forward can't control, and Laimer boots clear.

Bayern keep the ball for a sustained period - pretty much the first time I can remember them doing so - before Laimer tries to slip Sané in on the right-hand side.

Laimer's pass isn't the most user-friendly you'll ever see, and when Sané tries to bring it under control he can only poke it out for a goal-kick.

For a moment, Vinícius thinks he has the chance to get his head down and run at the Bayern backline. Laimer disabuses him of that notion, however, winning the ball back to huge cheers from the away end.

Valverde then upends Laimer, but escapes a yellow card.

At one end, Kimmich finds Sané with a neat ball in between two defenders, leaving his compatriot in a good position to cross from the byline.

Sané misses his kick, and immediately Real Madrid hare forward, roared on by their vocal home support. 

It finally falls to Bellingham on the edge of the box, but his shot is blocked.

Again Real Madrid get Vinícius into a shooting position!

From the left Bellingham feeds the ball low to the Brazilian, who's loitering with intent just outside the corner of the Bayern box. 

Once more, Vinícius is quick to get the ball out of his feet and strike, but he sends the ball just past Neuer's far post.

Vinícius hits the post!

From the right wing, Carvajal zips a beautiful little sideways ball into Vinícius, who has stepped into space at the near post. The Brazilian takes one touch to control, and second to thump a low shot towards Neuer's far corner.

It bounces back off the upright, though - and Rodrygo can't beat Neuer with the follow-up!

Madrid were so close to opening the scoring.

Madrid have had the lion's share of the possession so far: just over 60%, according to the latest stats available to me from Opta.

You know you've reached the business end of the Champions League when it's still light at kick-off.

And now Bayern play it across the face of goal!

Musiala slips Gnabry into space on the left-hand side of the Madrid box - and with Kane busting a gut to get to the back post, Gnabry turns it across the six-yard box. But it's too far ahead of Kane! 

The England captain throws his arms up in frustration.

At the other end, Carvajal drills a lovely low ball across the box and across the face of goal... but nobody in a Real Madrid shirt can get on the end of it.

Rodrygo, in particular, really threw himself at Carvajal's cross. From about six yards out, any kind of touch would probably have been one-nil.

That's a huge interception by Kroos.

When Bayern break, Kane looks to slide a defence-splitting ball into Sané's run in behind the Madrid backline. Kroos does ever so well to slide in and cut the pass out.

With Bayern hardly in a rush to get up and press, Madrid pop the ball about amongst themselves for a good minute or so, before Kroos' ball towards Vinícius is wayward.

As Bayern bring it away, though, Dier gets himself in a mess and loses it. That gives Rodrygo a chance to create something fro the right-hand side, but his ball to the top of the box is cut out.

Dier looks to lift the ball to Sané on the edge of the Real Madrid box, but the German is well covered by Mendy, and can't get a close enough control on the ball.

Sané complains that he was being tugged by Mendy, but Mr Marciniak waves away the winger's appeals.

Peeep! Szymon Marciniak gets us underway at the Bernabéu!

Last look at the line-ups

A final reminder of the teams:

Real Madrid

Lunin, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Bayern Munich

Neuer, Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui, Laimer, Pavlovic, Sané, Gnabry, Musiala, Kane.

Out come the teams!

The teams make their way out on to the pitch!

Time for that anthem. 

Almost time for kick-off!

The players are waiting in the tunnel at the Bernabéu, where the atmosphere is, as you'd expect, special.

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes warms up at the Bernabéu.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

When is Real Madrid - Bayern Munich? Times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Champions League

If, at this late stage, you're still wondering where you can watch Real Madrid vs Bayern, then let me point you in the direction of our guide on how to tune in on TV or online.

Who is the VAR for Madrid vs Bayern?

Tomasz Kwiatkowski will be the video assistant referee, and his assistant VAR will be Bartosz Frankowski.

Marciniak's on-field assistant referees will be Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik, and the fourth official will be the only non-Pole in today's officiating team: Slovenia's Ivan Kruzliak.

Who is the referee for Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich?

Today's match referee will be the highly experienced Szymon Marciniak.

Marciniak took charge of last season's Champions League final, and is on semi-final duty for the third year in a row. The Pole was also handed the 2022 men's World Cup final.

My colleague Paul Reidy has put together a short profile of the 42-year-old.

Kane breathing down Rooney's neck

Harry Kane, incidentally, has the opportunity to make goalscoring history in today's semi-final clash.

The striker's penalty in the first leg took him to 29 career Champions League goals - one short of Wayne Rooney's record competition haul for an Englishman.

Kane's goal against Stuttgart at the weekend was the 30-year-old's 44th in 44 games in his debut season for Bayern.

The Bayern team goes through its warm-up routine at the Bernabéu.

Players warming up in Madrid!

The warm-ups are underway at the Bernabéu, where there are just under 30 minutes to go until kick-off.

Bayern players walk on the Bernabéu pitch before today's semi-final second leg.

Opta opting for Madrid over Munich

The statisticians certainly favour Real Madrid to extend Bayern's winless sequence at the Bernabéu.

Opta's 'supercomputer' carried out 10,000 simulations of today's second leg - and Madrid won 49.5% of them in 90 minutes. Bayern, by comparison, were victorious just 26.6% of the time.

Whether in 90 minutes, after extra time or on penalties, Opta gives Madrid a 67.4% chance of winning this semi-final tie. Bayern are rated at 32.6% to go through to the final at Wembley.

When did Bayern last beat Madrid in Madrid?

Bayern have now gone seven visits to the Spanish capital without tasting victory over Real Madrid.

The Bavarians' last win at the Bernabéu came back in May 2001, when Giovane Elber's goal gave the visitors a 1-0 triumph in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Since then, Bayern have managed one draw away to Madrid, and have been beaten on six occasions.

When did Madrid last lose to Bayern?

When it comes to clashes against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid are now undefeated in their last eight meetings with the Germans.

Madrid's most recent reverse against Bayern was in the first leg of the teams' Champions League semi-final in 2011/12.

Madrid unbeaten in UCL since City catastrophe

Real Madrid head into today’s second leg on an 11-game unbeaten run in the Champions League. 

They last lost in the competition in their final match of the 2022/23 campaign, when they were walloped 4-0 by Manchester City at this very stage of the competition.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham takes a stroll on the Bernabéu pitch ahead of kick-off.

Rapturous Real reception

As is customary before these big nights at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid's fans lined the streets leading up to the stadium to give the team bus a white-hot welcome as it arrived a short while ago.

What the coaches said: Bayern's Thomas Tuchel

Trio of changes for Bayern

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel makes three changes to the team that began the first leg against Madrid.

Fit-again Matthijs de Ligt replaces Kim Min-jae, while - as reported in the German media - Aleksander Pavlovic does indeed come in for Leon Goretzka in midfield. In attack, Serge Gnabry replaces veteran Thomas Müller.

Bayern's starting line-up is confirmed!

At the more typical juncture of about an hour before kick-off, Bayern have now announced their starting XI. It is: Neuer, Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Mazraoui, Laimer, Pavlovic, Sané, Gnabry, Musiala, Kane.

New Bayern kit now out

Bayern won't have the same problem if they face Real Madrid next season: they've just released their 2024/25 home kit, and it marks a return to the club's classic, all-red look.

Bayern in black at the Bernabéu

Bayern, by the way, will be in their all-black change kit tonight. Their home kit, which seems to cycle between some combination of red, white and blue, has rather a bit too much white in it this season.

My colleague Roddy Cons has more on Bayern's attire tonight.

Pavlovic to replace Goretzka in Bayern team?

We're still waiting for confirmation of Bayern's XI, which will reportedly include Aleksandar Pavlovic in place of Leon Gerotzka. That's what the German newspaper Bild has said at least.

In the meantime, Bayern have offered us a look at their swishly decked out changing room at the Bernabéu.

Bayern's last five results

4 May: Stuttgart 3-1 Bayern (Bundesliga)
30 Apr: Bayern 2-2 Real Madrid (UCL)
27 Apr: Bayern 2-1 Frankfurt (Bundesliga)
20 Apr: Union Berlin 1-5 Bayern (Bundesliga)
14 Apr: Bayern 1-0 Arsenal (UCL)

What is Bayern's recent form like?

That Stuttgart defeat was Bayern’s first in seven games in all competitions - but it’s also worth noting that the Bavarians have only won four of their past nine matches.

If they want to avoid penalties, they must beat Madrid at the Bernabéu; however, they failed to win either of their away legs in the last 16 and the quarter-finals.

Bayern stumble at Stuttgart as league woes continue

While Madrid were busy wrapping up the Spanish title this weekend, Bayern fell further adrift of champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

Thomas Tuchel’s men lost 3-1 to Stuttgart - their seventh league defeat of the campaign - to drop 15 points behind unbeaten Leverkusen.

Seven defeats is the most that Bayern have suffered in a league season since the last time they failed to win the German title, in 2011/12.

Real Madrid's last five results

4 May: Real Madrid 3-0 Cádiz (LaLiga)
30 Apr: Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid (UCL)
26 Apr: Real Sociedad 0-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)
21 Apr: Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona (LaLiga)
17 Apr: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (UCL)

Real Madrid on long unbeaten sequence

Real Madrid's weekend win over Cádiz took their unbeaten run in all competitions to 20 games - since an extra-time Copa del Rey defeat to Atlético Madrid in January.

In 90 minutes, Carlo Ancelotti's side are undefeated in a whopping 42 games. That streak goes back to another defeat by Atlético, in LaLiga in September.

This all bodes very ill for Bayern's hopes of victory tonight - unless the Germans are planning on winning on penalties, at least.

REAL MADRID

Why are Real Madrid being presented the LaLiga trophy at their Valdebebas training ground?

Madrid are set to be presented with the LaLiga trophy, erm... early on Sunday morning at their training ground.

My colleague Joe Brennan has more.

Madrid chasing LaLiga-UCL double

Since last week’s first leg against Bayern, Madrid have been confirmed as 2023/24's LaLiga champions.

Los Vikingos sealed the title on Saturday, when their 3-0 win over Cádiz meant Barcelona had to beat Girona to prevent their arch rivals from winning the league.

They couldn’t: Xavi’s men were defeated 4-2 at Montilivi, handing Madrid a record-extending 36th domestic crown.

Should Madrid also win the Champions League this term, it will be their second league-and-European Cup double in the space of three seasons.

Real Madrid substitutes

The 11 men on Real Madrid's substitutes' bench are:

Courtois, Kepa, Militão, Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, Camavinga, Ceballos, Modric, Brahim, Arda Güler and Joselu.

Courtois returned to the Madrid line-up against Cádiz at the weekend, but Ancelotti told yesterday's pre-match press conference that today's game would come too soon for the Belgian, who is returning from a torn ACL suffered last summer.

Real Madrid make one change from first leg

Ancelotti has named almost exactly the same line-up from the first leg in Munich. The only change sees right-back Dani Carvajal replace Lucas Váquez, as expected, after serving a one-match ban in the opener at Allianz Arena.

There were question marks over which of Nacho Fernández and Aurélien Tchouaméni would partner Antonio Rüdiger at centre-back; in the end, Nacho has been given the nod at the heart of the defence.

That means that Tchouaméni plays in the midfield, relegating Eduardo Camavinga to the bench.

Real Madrid line-up confirmed!

As in Bavaria last week, Real Madrid have gone early with their team announcement. Carlo Ancelotti has gone with the following 11 men: Lunin, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Bayern out to reach seventh heaven

While Madrid are chasing a ninth Champions League final appearance, Bayern Munich out to book their ticket to the game for the seventh time since 1992.

Bayern are currently level with AC Milan and Juventus as one of three clubs with the second-most UCL final appearances; victory today would take them clear of the Italians.

In the entire history of the European Cup, the Germans have been to the final 11 times so far.

Bayern's boisterous backing

Bayern's fans are giving it plenty of welly in the Madrid sunshine. 

Two hours until kick-off!

We've just ticked past 7pm local time in Madrid; just a couple of hours now remain until kick-off. Courtesy of Bayern's social-media team, here's another pre-match look at the Bernabéu, whose roof is closed.

Madrid's UCL final Midas touch

If Madrid do reach the final, history rather strongly suggests that they will secure a 15th European crown. 

After all, they're yet to lose any of the eight Champions League finals they've played so far.

Los Blancos were last beaten to the continental title in the trophy decider back in 1981, 11 years before the European Cup became the Champions League. That day in Paris 43 years ago, Alan Kennedy's late goal saw Liverpool beat Madrid.

Madrid chase record-extending final appearance

Should Real Madrid be one of the two teams lining up at Wembley in 24 days’ time, it will be Los Blancos’ ninth Champions League final.  

That would extend the record that Madrid already hold for final appearances in the Champions League era.

In European Cup history, Los Merengues have also played in more finals than any other club. They’re currently on 17 since the tournament’s inception in 1955/56.

When is the Champions League final?

One thing I neglected to mention in my earlier posts about Wembley was when this season's Champions League final actually is: it's scheduled for Saturday 1 June 2024, at 3pm ET/12 noon PT.

Bernabéu primed for big night

The Bernabéu, now sporting its swanky new 360-degree video screen, is all set.

How many European Cup finals has Wembley hosted?

Including the pre-1992 era, this season's final will be the eighth European Cup/Champions League showpiece to take place at Wembley. 

In addition to being the venue in 2011 and 2013, the stadium hosted the 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978 and 1992 finals.

All-German final would witness Wembley re-match

Indeed, a Dortmund-Bayern final would be a 2013 repeat right down to the venue.

Wembley was the venue 11 years ago, and has again been chosen this season.

This will be the third Champions League final hosted at the London arena, which was also the stage for Barcelona's 3-1 win over Manchester United in 2011.

Another Dortmund-Bayern UCL final in the offing...?

Dortmund, meanwhile, have reached the third Champions League final in their history - and it could be a repeat of their second.

In 2013, BVB faced Bayern in the showpiece event, losing 2-1 to the Bavarians.

Arjen Robben's late goal secured the fifth of Bayern's six European titles, after Ilkay Gündogan's penalty for Dortmund had cancelled out Mario Mandzukic's opener.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Watch Kylian Mbappé's annoyed reaction to reporter’s Real Madrid question

PSG star Kylian Mbappé is widely expected to join Real Madrid this summer, so yesterday's result deprived us of the possibility of seeing him face up against his seeming-club-to-be in the Champions League final.

After exiting the tournament, Mbappé was asked by one cheeky reporter whether he'll be cheering Madrid on today - and he was not amused.

Check out the video.

PSG draw a blank despite bumper xG

PSG's pursuit of Europe's most coveted trophy goes on, after Luis Enrique's men failed to score a single goal across two legs despite having an overall expected goals of more than five.

The Parisians hit the woodwork four times alone in the second leg.

Who will meet Dortmund in the UCL final?

Borussia Dortmund await in the Champions League final, after Edin Terzic's men upset the odds by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the last four.

Veteran Mats Hummels headed in the only goal of the game in yesterday's second leg in Paris, as Dortmund sealed a 2-0 aggregate win over the French champions.

My colleague Roddy Cons was following last night's action at the Parc des Princes.

"Bayeeeeern! Bayeeern!"

It's a beautiful spring day here in the Spanish capital, and Bayern Munich's travelling supporters have also been enjoying the sunshine - and the cerveza - as we count down to kick off.

Around 3,500 Bayern fans are expected to be at the Bernabéu today.

Real Madrid fans get into the matchday spirit ahead of kick-off in the Spanish capital.

How many times have Madrid and Bayern met in UCL semi-finals?

Of Madrid’s three straight Champions League knockout triumphs over Bayern, two have come in the semi-finals.

In 2013/14, Madrid thumped Bayern 5-0 on aggregate, sealing their final berth with a historic 4-0 win in Munich in the second leg. Los Blancos had never previously beaten Bayern in Bavaria.

In 2017/18, Madrid then edged the Germans out 4-3 over two legs, on their way to their third straight Champions League title.

In all, the European heavyweights have collided in seven European Cup/Champions League semi-finals; Madrid lead that series 4-3. 

(NB: The eagle-eyed among you will have observed that the photo accompanying this post is actually taken from the teams' 2016/17 Champions League clash, which took place in the quarter-finals).

How many times have Madrid and Bayern met in UCL knockouts?

That 2012 shootout win was the last time that Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout tie, however.

Madrid have progressed on the three occasions that the European giants have clashed in the knockouts since then. 

Overall, the clubs have met in 12 knockout ties in the European Cup or Champions League, the Spaniards winning seven to Bayern’s five.

12 years on from Bayern's shootout triumph in Madrid

Should today's second leg go to penalties, by the way, it won't be the first time that a Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern has gone the distance at the Bernabéu.

After a 3-3 aggregate draw in 2011/12, Bayern beat Madrid from the spot in the Spanish capital, Bastian Schweinsteiger netting the Germans' winning penalty. Xabi Alonso was the only Madrid player who scored his kick.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

What is the away goal rule in the Champions League semi-finals? What happens if there’s a tie?

At this stage, you almost certainly don't need me to tell you this, but nevertheless: a reminder that there will be no away-goals rule.

Before the rule was abolished in 2021, a 1-1 draw would have been enough to win the tie for Madrid today, and a 3-3 or higher-scoring draw would have done the trick for Bayern.

Under the current system, the tie will go to extra time if the teams are level, no matter how many away goals each side has scored.

My colleague Roddy Cons has more.

Who needs what at the Bernabéu today?

As I mentioned in my preamble, last week's draw at the Allianz Arena means that the task facing both sides is very simple: a win in Madrid = a ticket to the final.

If it ends all square after 90 minutes, we'll have 30 minutes of extra time (which will be played in full, no matter what).

If the sides still can't be separated after the additional half hour, penalty kicks will decide the identity of this season's second Champions League finalist. 

What happened in the Bayern vs Real Madrid first leg?

In Munich last Tuesday, we were treated to a highly enjoyable 2-2 draw. 

Bayern came out all guns blazing at Allianz Arena, but it was Madrid - as is Madrid’s wont - who took the lead. Toni Kroos set up Vinícius Junior with the sublimest of slide-rule passes through the middle, and the Brazilian produced an unerring finish past Manu Neuer.

In just a few second-half minutes, however, Bayern flipped the game on its head: first, Leroy Sané boshed in an unstoppable equaliser, before Harry Kane completed the quickfire turnaround with an ice-cool penalty.

As they say, though, you have to kill Madrid twice to beat them - and although Bayern appeared in the ascendency, Los Blancos clawed their way back level. Vinícius buried a late penalty after Kim Min-jae had fouled Rodrygo Goes in the area.

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich: welcome!

Hello! 

After an entertaining Champions League semi-final first leg finished all square in Bavaria eight days ago, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich meet today in a winner-takes-all return at the Bernabéu. A meeting with Borussia Dortmund, at Wembley in three and a half weeks’ time, awaits said winner. 

I suspect I'm not alone when I say: I cannot wait for kick-off in Madrid. The game is scheduled to get underway at 9pm local time, which in US money is 3pm ET/12 noon PT.