Halfway through their colossal UEFA Champions League semifinal tie, and there is absolutely nothing to separate Bayern Munich from Real Madrid after a 2-2 draw in Bavaria; a goal from open play and a penalty apiece.
[ MORE: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid stats on FotMob.com ]
It was a classic first leg between two heavyweights with 20 European Cup and Champions League trophies between them, as both sides led, trailed and were level for nearly 30 minutes each.
Vinicius Junior struck the first blow for Real Madrid midway through the first half when Toni Kroos cut the Bayern defense in half with an inch-perfect through ball, but it was 1-1 eight minutes into the second half after Leroy Sane smoked a near-post strike, and quickly 2-1 as Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot four minutes later.
It was a clear penalty for Bayern in the 57th minute, and a clear penalty for Madrid in the 83rd. Vinicius showed the same nerves of steel that Kane had exhibited, hammering the ball to Manuel Neuer’s left as the Bayern goalkeeper dove to his right.
The winner after next Wednesday’s second leg will face the winner of the other semifinal between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, at Wembley Stadium.
Heavyweight fight likely going the distance
There aren’t many sides in the world expected demanded to win every single time they take the field, no matter the competition from the Bundesliga to La Liga, so it’s always an especially tense occasion when two of them meet in the Champions League — where, again, the only acceptable outcome is winning.
It was all Bayern Munich in the opening 15 minutes, as they had the game’s first six shots but lacked the sharpness required at the end. Real Madrid are the kings of managing not only two-leg ties and each game as its own entity, but also the different phases through which each game progresses. They weathered the early storm, Vinicius scored on their first shot, and Bayern were stunned until halftime.
They found some confidence during the break, though, as Sane rebounded from a frustrating first 45 with a moment of individual quality to will the home side and their fans back to life. Real Madrid suddenly wobbling. Penalty given and taken not long after the restart, and Madrid couldn’t cope for a time. But Vinicius continued to make his case for the (vacant and unofficial) title of Best Player in the World, playing the ball that won the penalty late and converting it himself as well. Roll on, second leg.
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid highlights, final score: 2-2
Goalscorers: Vinicius (24', 84' - PK), Leroy Sane (53'), Harry Kane (57' - PK)
PENALTY - Vinicius equalizes from the spot after Rodrygo pulled down in the box
IT HAD TO BE VINI JR 🥶
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 30, 2024
All level between Real Madrid and Bayern 👀 pic.twitter.com/lHHiVGjDdN
PENALTY - Harry Kane puts Bayern ahead from the penalty spot after Jamal Musiala fouled
It only took Bayern Munich four minutes to turn things around ⚡
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 30, 2024
Game on 🍿 pic.twitter.com/5phahUYZEt
GOAL - Leroy Sane sneaks a laser in at the near post to make it 1-1
LEROY SANÉ WITH THE CUT IN AND ROCKET FINISH 🚀 pic.twitter.com/BU0a2XiTeG
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 30, 2024
GOAL - Vinicius Junior dusts Bayern’s defense, slots home to give Real Madrid the lead
VINI JR. WITH MADRID'S FIRST SHOT ON GOAL 💥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 30, 2024
That ball from Toni Kroos 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/3vXSk0vM8Z
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Tuesday (April 30)
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Bayern Munich starting lineup
Neuer — Kimmich, Kim, Dier, Mazraoui — Laimer, Goretzka — Sane, Muller, Musiala — Kane
Real Madrid starting lineup
Lunin — Vazquez, Rudiger, Fernandez, Mendy — Tchouameni, Kroos, Valverde — Rodrigo, Bellingham, Vinicius
Bayern Munich focus, team news
Harry Kane has been sensational at center forward, his Bundesliga haul now sitting at 35 goals and eight assists this season. Only Leroy Sane has set up more goals. Joshua Kimmich remains a key force for the Bavarians in a down season.
Bayern’s long-term injuries include Bouna Sarr and Tarek Buchmann, while this match likely comes too soon for Sacha Boey, Kingsley Coman, and Jamal Musiala. Dayot Upamecano, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry face late fitness tests.
Real Madrid focus, team news
Real Madrid is healthy and was able to rest Jude Bellingham and Toni Kroos this weekend, only using fellow stars Antonio Rudiger, Vinicius Junior, Fede Valverde, Lucas Vazquez, and Eduardo Camavinga off the bench. Right back Dani Carvajal is suspended.
Bellingham and Vini Jr have combined for 30 league goals, while Rodrygo’s chipped in 10 and has shown a knack for big-game heroics.