last time, it was a late penalty. This time, a goalkeeping blunder. Real Madrid keep finding ways to get out of trouble in the Champions league.
Madrid conceded early again at home and barely held on for a draw 2-2 against Bayern in Tuesday's semifinal match, advancing 4-3 on aggregate to stay on track for a third consecutive European title. But with Cristiano Ronaldo held scoreless for the second time in as many games, Madrid needed a blunder from Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich to gift them their second — and crucial — goal on the night.
"It's a Champions league semifinal. You will always suffer," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. "Nothing is easy. Football is like that, you have to suffer. And when you win, it feels even better, although it's not too good for your heart."
Joshua Kimmich scored for Bayern in the third minute to set the stage for another comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu, like the one Juventus nearly pulled off in the quarterfinals before Ronaldo converted an injury-time penalty.
But the hosts reacted quicker this time, with Karim Benzema equalising early in the first half and scoring again just after halftime after an embarrassing mistake by Ulreich when he allowed a back pass into the area to go underneath him.
Bayern went within a goal of eliminating the European champions when former Madrid player James Rodriguez scored in the 63rd, and it pressured the hosts until the end, but it was not enough to avoid a third straight elimination against the Spanish club.
"We were the best team in both games but we were not able to reach the final," Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said. "We dominated. They should thank (goalkeeper Keylor) Navas for his performance, especially toward the end of the match."
The German club, which has now been knocked out in the Champions league semifinals in four of the last five seasons, had several good chances in the final minutes but was unable to capitalize.
By successfully defending their 2-1 win from last week, Madrid stayed on track for a third consecutive European title, and fourth in five seasons.
"It was a crazy match," Zidane said. "We struggled in the beginning, conceding early and not being able to play our game. But it was a lot better in the second half. We pressed up front and got the second goal."
Bayern started well and easily created scoring chances, while Madrid tried to control possession but only threatened on counterattacks with the speed of Ronaldo and Marco Asensio up front.
Kimmich netted from inside the area after Madrid captain Sergio Ramos failed to clear a ball crossed into the area by Corentin Tolisso.
It was an eerily similar start to Madrid's match against Juventus, when they conceded in the second minute while trying to protect a 3-0 first-leg advantage. Madrid conceded twice more in that game but eventually advanced thanks to Ronaldo's injury-time penalty.
This time, Madrid reacted a lot more quickly, with Benzema equalising in the 11th with a firm header after a well-placed cross from the left by Marcelo.
Benzema hasn't been playing regularly as a starter and was a surprise addition to the lineup by Zidane. He had scored only once in his last 12 appearances in all competitions.
"It was a perfect night for me and for everyone," Benzema said.
The French striker gave Madrid a 2-1 lead after Ulreich's howler. The goalkeeper appeared to lose his footing while trying to get to the ball and seemed to hesitate to stop it with his hands before missing it entirely as he went to the ground. That allowed Benzema to run onto the ball for an easy finish into an open net.
"It was tough to concede that goal so early in the second half," Heynckes said. "It was a gift."
Bayern weren’t done yet and Rodriguez equalised with a low shot from inside the area. The Colombian playmaker didn't celebrate, instead raising his hands in an almost apologetic gesture to the home fans.
Bayern unsuccessfully appealed for a handball by Marcelo just before halftime, when the Madrid defender appeared to be just inside the area.
"I'd be lying if I said the ball didn't touch my hand," the Brazilian left back said. "And if it touched my hand, I think it was (a penalty)."
Meanwhile Robert lewandowski continued to struggle up front, as he went a fifth straight Champions league game without a goal for the first time in his career.
Madrid, playing in their 250th Champions league match, are the first team to make it to three European finals in a row since Juventus from 1996-98.
Ulreich can't explain mistake
Munich: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Sven Ulreich "can't explain" how he made a crucial mistake that allowed Real Madrid to score a second goal in the Champions league semifinals.
The teams were level at 1-1 at the start of the second half when Corentin Tolisso, under pressure from Toni Kroos, played a short back-pass to Ulreich.
The Bayern goalkeeper would have reached the ball ahead of Karim Benzema but he appeared to realize late that he wasn't allowed to pick it up.
Instead, he attempted to clear it with his foot but let the ball slip through for Benzema to score.
"Words cannot describe how disappointed I am over the Champions league exit. We really wanted to reach the final and we gave our best and then this unnecessary mistake happened to me," Ulreich wrote on Instagram. "I can't explain it. I'm sorry. for my team and for you fans."
Bayern ended up with a 2-2 draw, but Madrid progressed to their third consecutive final with a 4-3 aggregate win following a 2-1 victory in Munich last week.
Ulreich, who had been playing well while filling in for the injured Manuel Neuer this season, sat alone on the field long after the final whistle.
Bayern fans responded positively to his message on Instagram.
Heynckes, 72, bows out in Europe
Berlin: Jupp Heynckes bowed out with Bayern Munich in the Champions league semi-finals with the head coach admitting not many 72-year-olds get to experience "such an adventure".
Heynckes, who turns 73 next Wednesday, took charge of his final European match in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Real Madrid before he steps down at the end of the season.
"Of course I know now, it's final that I'll never go back to the bench in a Champions league game — and I think that's a good thing," he said as Bayern bowed out 4-3 on aggregate.
"Not many people get to go on such an adventure at the age of 72.
"I don't feel the emotion 'yes, now it's over', I'm just disappointed with the result, especially for the players.
"I have to compliment my team, I have not seen FC Bayern in form like that for many years, it was football at its best."