In the final 15 minutes, Lionel Messi took control for Barcelona and led them to a commanding 3-0 lead with two goals and an assist. In Turin, two home goals by Juventus gave them a 2-1 lead heading to Madrid, but Christiano Ronaldo’s goal might be the difference in the tie if it comes down to away goals.
Let’s get to the games:
 |
Juventus | 2 | |
 |
Real Madrid | 1 | |
| Full Time | |||
And so an enthralling first leg comes to a close at the Juventus Stadium, with the reactions of the Juve players and fans convincing you that they think they have taken a massive step towards the Champions League final. The truth is that this semi-final is wonderfully balanced ahead of the return leg at the Bernabeu. In truth, the Italian side throughouly deserved their victory, as despite not possessing the star-studded attacking line-up that their opponents have, they seemed to want it slightly more tonight and outbattled their illustrious opponents for long periods.
The hosts took an early lead that their play deserved when Carlos Tevez’s parried shot was tapped in by former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. However, Los Blancos responded excellently and their main man Cristiano Ronaldo became the Champions League’s leading goalscorer when he headed in at the end of a gorgeous move involving Dani Carvajal and James Rodriguez down the right.
They looked like taking charge of the match, but half time came at the right time for the Old Lady after Rodriguez had somehow struck the crossbar following a great cross from Isco. Massimiliano Allegri’s men started the second period well and received a great chance to re-take the lead when a rapid counter from Tevez saw Carvajal bring the former Manchester United man to ground when he was going away from goal. No nerves from Tevez, who coolly stroked the ball down the middle to send the home fans into raptures.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side huffed and puffed for the rest of the game without any reward, but it was the home outfit that should have extended their lead at the death when substitute Fernando Llorente headed straight at Iker Casillas from Andrea Pirlo’s pinpoint cross. Could they live to regret that huge miss? The second leg will reveal all.
Juventus controlled 48% of the possession, and had 12 shots on goal, with 7 on target. Real Madrid controlled 52% of the possession, and had 12 shots on goal, with 3 on target.
http://gty.im/472376378
 |
Barcelona | 3 | |
 |
Bayern Munich | 0 | |
| Full Time | |||
Barcelona have one foot in the Champions League final after securing a dramatic 3-0 late victory over Bayern Munich in the Nou Camp. Barca started strongly and they should have lead after 11 minutes but Suarez was denied by the legs of Neuer in what would develop into being a pattern for the night.
The Catalans controlled the game for large parts but struggled to find a way through a stubborn Bayern defence and arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, but the deadlock was finally broken with just over ten minutes remaining when Messi latched onto a loose ball after a rare Bayern mistake before drilling an effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards out. The euphoric Barca fans were still celebrating that strike when their side increased their lead even further when another piece of Messi magic, this time rounding Boateng before chipping the ball clinically over Neuer.
2-0 would for many have been an unassailable scoreline, but with virtually the final kick of the game, Neymar raced clear on a Barca break before sliding the ball past Neuer to surely send his side into the final.
Barcelona controlled 49% of the possession, and had 17 shots on goal, with 8 on target. Bayern Munich controlled 51% of the possession, and had 7 shots on goal, with 0 on target. Yellow cards were given to Barcelona for Dani Alves (46′), Gerard Piqué (66′), Neymar (69′) and to Bayern Munich for Xabi Alonso (35′), Mehdi Benatia (52′), Juan Bernat (56′).