FC Bayern reached in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final on home ground, against Chelsea FC, after defeating Real Madrid CF on penalties after 210 minutes of a great semi-final.
Bastian Schweinsteiger converted the decisive strike kick, Also Manuel Neuer's excellent stops Cristiano Ronaldo and Kakà were just as crucial. David Alaba and Mario Gomez goaled for Bayern before Iker Casilla did not send the ball into polls, Toni Kroos and Philipp Lahm to drag Madrid back in match. Yet when Sergio Ramos kicked the ball high over the bar, Schweinsteiger had the chance to catch it , he did not disappoint, giving his side an inexpugnable 3-1 lead.
Bayern's celebrations were understandably spirited; their emotions were different after 14 minutes, by which time their 2-1 first leg advantage had become a 3-2 deficit. Ronaldo did the damage as the hosts thrown out of the blocks, scoring twice, the second a penalty. The Bundesliga visitors regrouped and Arjen Robben's own spot kick before the half-hour ultimately set up the dramatic conclusion.
It had been all Madrid in those opening skirmishes, with Xabi Alonso and Ángel Di María continued well down the right. The time came with a cross from the other flank by Marcelo, however, which was met by Di María's volley and struck the hand of Alaba. A booking followed, ruling the Bayern defender out of a possible final – Luiz Gustavo and Holger Badstuber would also faced similar fate.
Ronaldo sent Neuer the wrong way with his 25th consecutive successful spot kick for the club ,what he would have given for No26? Bayern should have equalised when former Madrid man Robben skied a shot over from point-blank range after connecting with Alaba's excellent centre. Casillas was sent into ground soon after, spilling Gomez's low drive and looking on in relief as Álvaro Arbeloa cleared off Franck Ribéry's toe.
The pace continued unabated and the nine-time European champions soon made it 2-0 on the night. Looking to clear under pressure from Khedira, Kroos inadvertently skewed the ball into Mesut Özil's path, and the playmaker teed up Ronaldo to rifle in his tenth UEFA Champions League goal in as many games this season.
A 90th-minute effort from Gomez earned Jupp Heynckes's side victory last week and the striker was again in the thick of it as Bayern replied here, being pushed over by Pepe to win the penalty. Casillas reached Robben's effort from the spot but could only tip it onto the post and in, and momentum gradually shifted in the visiting team's favour.
After the break and the hosts were thankful that Casillas was quickest to the ball after Robben burst clean through on goal. As extra time beckoned Gomez fluffed a chance to settle the tie when – with the goal at his mercy – he miscontrolled, allowing Ramos to make a saving challenge. Gomez made no mistake when it really mattered, however; nor did Bayern, and Chelsea now await on 19 May. thanks to (uefa.com)
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