da esport bet： An atrocious error from Manuel Neuer paved the way for yet another incredible comeback from the kings of Europe

da dobrowin： Just when you think Real Madrid are out of the Champions League, they drag themselves back in. On Wednesday, for the umpteenth time in their long and illustrious history, the kings of Europe turned around a tie that appeared to be lost, coming from a goal down with two minutes to play against Bayern Munich to triumph 2-1 and set up a final showdown with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1.

Madrid had been the better side for the most of an absorbing semi-final second leg at Santiago Bernabeu, but could find no way past an inspired Manuel Neuer, who was rolling back the years with an exhibition in the art of shot-stopping.

However, the Bayern No.1 then inexplicably fumbled the ball in front of Joselu, who pounced to level the game – before striking again from close range in injury time to complete the kind of dramatic comeback that now feels customary coming from Madrid.

GOAL runs through all of the winners and losers from another ridiculously eventful night at the home of the 14-time champions of Europe…

Getty ImagesWINNER: Joselu

Who needs Kylian Mbappe?… When Madrid lost Karim Benzema last summer, it was widely assumed that they would bring in an elite striker to replace him. Instead, enter Joselu; a 34-year-old who flopped in the Premier League at Newcastle and Stoke City.

But the big man has earned his minutes this year, and scored a number of timely goals for Los Blancos. Wednesday, though, was his biggest triumph – and surely the defining moment of his journeyman career.

Joselu scored twice – his 15th and 16th goals of the season – in the space of three minutes to send Madrid to the Champions League final, etching his name into club folklore, and setting up what could be a 15th European Cup for the continent's most successful club side.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Harry Kane

Harry Kane's work appeared to be done. When he came off with six minutes of normal time remaining, Bayern were a goal to the good while Madrid were running out of ideas. Better still, Kane had played his part in putting his team on the way to Wembley with a characteristically brilliant bit of hold-up play that saw him break free of his marker before releasing Alphonso Davies with an excellent cross-field ball before the Canadian cut inside and lashed into the top corner.

However, the England international then suffered the agony of having to watch on helplessly from the bench as Bayern imploded, evoking memories of a forlorn Lothar Matthaus being left dumbstruck by Manchester United's incredible comeback in the 1999 Champions League final. Matthaus' career would end without him ever winning the European Cup – but he could at least take comfort in the fact that he'd already lifted numerous major titles, including the World Cup.

As it stands, Kane has yet to claim a single piece of silverware, and this latest devastating setback will be particularly hard to take. It was just so very 'Spursy'.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Vinicius Jr

Most of the talk around Real Madrid has focused on Jude Bellingham in 2023-24, and rightly so, given the England midfielder has been the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or for a number of months now. On the other hand, Vinicius, who is an equally impactful player on these big stages, gets forgotten about in the conversation around the Golden Ball. That's likely to change after this performance.

Vinicius spent 102 minutes torturing Joshua Kimmich and the Bayern backline; a blur of stepovers, cuts and flicks. He completed seven dribbles, put three shots on target, and could have easily scored a hat-trick had Neuer not rolled back the years.

Bellingham was kept admittedly quiet by the Bavarians, and although Joselu bagged the goals, Vinicius kept Madrid in the game with a truly masterful performance from a world-class player.

GettyLOSER: Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel was on the verge of making history. Never before had a manager led three different teams to the Champions League final, but the former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea coach had put Bayern on the verge of a most unexpected appearance at Wembley with what would have been hailed as a managerial masterclass.

Tuchel had boldly put his faith in Aleksandar Pavlovic, who had been selected to start in midfield ahead of the far more experienced Leon Goretzka, and been rewarded with a staggeringly composed performance from the 20-year-old. The decision to bring on Davies on the left wing also proved a stroke of genius, with the regular left-back breaking the deadlock with a stunning strike with his weaker right foot.

However, Neuer's mistake not only changed the game, it also cast Tuchel's substitutions in a very different light. He may well argue that Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane were tiring and had to come off with just over six minutes to go – but Musiala had grown into the game after a slow start and was causing problems on the break with his dribbling, while Kane was proving a reliable out-ball.

However, the call that should probably come under most scrutiny was the decision to replace Leroy Sane with Kim Min-jae in the 75th minute. The winger was performing poorly, but sending a centre-back on in his place – rather than another attacker – robbed Bayern of an outlet, changed their shape and invited pressure.

Tuchel is still unlikely to be short of job offers this summer as he prepares to depart the Allianz Arena, but being the first Bayern manager to oversee a trophy-less season for 12 years will be taken into consideration by his prospective employers.