As the celebrations took the roof from the Bernabeu Stadium, Jude Bellingham eventually sought out Harry Kane to console him.
And boy, after - even by their standards - the most unlikely Real Madrid fightback, the England captain, who had been substituted five minutes from time, needed some consoling. It might take him a while to get over this.
It might take him a while to accept the move to withdraw him when Bayern were ahead in this match. Kane’s assist for Alphonso Davies' stunning strike looked to have set Bayern up for a trip to Wembley.
But dramatic late goals from substitute Joselu - and an assistant referee’s controversial flag that ruled out what could have been a last-gasp Matthijs de Ligt equaliser - gave Real the most unlikely of victories and Bellingham the chance to win the Champions League in his first season with Real.
And yes, you read that right … Joselu, 34-year-old Joselu, on loan from second division Espanyol. Yes, you read that right … Joselu, Joselu who could not cut it on a cold Tuesday night in his time at Stoke City but who scored twice in three minutes on a balmy - and barmy - Wednesday night in Madrid.
Yes, you read that right … Joselu, Joselu who managed only seven goals in 52 appearances for Newcastle United and now has 18 for Real this season, a La Liga title to his name and has sent Carlo Ancelotti’s side to another final.
Football, eh?
When pundits thought this semi-final second leg might be decided by an ex-Premier League striker, you can bet Joselu’s name was not on their lips. It will be a name Kane will certainly not want to hear again.
After a first half low on quality, if not on entertainment, Kane and Bayern grew into the contest as anxiety took something of a grip on the Bernabeu. And that anxiety became even greater when Bayern took the lead through a stunning Davies strike.
It was a nice assist from Kane, spraying the ball wide to the Bayern substitute but the goal belonged solely to Davies, who cut inside and fired a humdinger of a right-footed strike into the top corner. The Bernabeu was stunned into silence before, soon after, being sent into rapture when a scramble from a corner ended up in Neuer’s net but a VAR check showed that Nacho had pushed Kimmich over beforehand.
A big screen replay warned Real of what was to come and Kane - one of the first to protest - knew it. What he could not have known is that Neuer - Neuer, of all people - would gift Real a lifeline just two minutes from the end of standard time.
It was the keeper’s bad throw-out that gave Real easy possession and it was the keeper’s botched attempt to save a Vinicius Junior shot that provided Joselu with the most dramatic of tap-in equalisers. And if you thought that was dramatic, how about the winner in added time?
They say VAR takes the drama out of the game. Really?
The entire stadium seemed to accept the assistant referee’s decision to flag when Joselu struck again but a lengthy VAR check confirmed the assistant referee was wrong … and Real and Bellingham were heading to Wembley.
AleeyuTukur
0
we now see what the other team are facing and complaining about Var and referee in lalila, it really show clearly that realmadrid Madrid , Var and referees are 5/6 such officiating in champions league is a disgrace
cry
CHICKIESMP
1
they're always good at such things. they almost gave me sadness yesterday. next time win in the first half and make it look easy
Bright1Isaac
1
Harry Kane is a hurricane to winning trophies
Fapdemrtuy
0
we now see what the other team are facing and complaining about Var and referee in lalila, it really show clearly that realmadrid Madrid , Var and referees are 5/6 such officiating in champions league is a disgrace
OFFICIAL88
2
Bayern would still have lost the game.
Worldreal
4
He is very good.
grizou
2
in 2022 Pep did an error by changing big players in 2023 he refused to change any player and he won in 2024 he did the same thing and was so close and then tuchel came and did the same error of pep " do you watch champions league games , why you do this blunder "
biadinrtuy
0
Harry Kane missed the cup again and again and again...and so on...
grizou
3
i wonder am i the only one who watch champions league games we all know that with Real you stop playing well when the refree finish the game tuchel , defenders and even Neuer forgot that they are facing Real in bernabeu with only 1 goal lead with Real you have to kill them and verify that they are Dead
aronmitte
3
These is not news please we all know the Champions League belongs to Real Madrid...lol