Champions League: Benzema brace sends Madrid to third straight final

Bayern Munich needed two goals to take the edge over Real Madrid. They got those two. Madrid got two more to book the trip to Kyiv.

Bayern had the edge right at kickoff by keeping possession and creating chances early in Madrid. The first goal came inside just three minutes as Joshua Kimmich took advantage of a poor attempt at a clearance by Sergio Ramos. Kimmich’s second goal of the semifinals tied Bayern on aggregate with Madrid, but they still needed another one.

Madrid responded quickly as Karim Benzema equalized in the game and put Bayern back in a position where they needed two more goals. Benzema’s first goal of the game was his second in his last 19 Champions League knockout fixtures.

Benzema came out of the tunnel and got his brace just one minute into the second half. The fourth goal of the semifinals for Real Madrid put the nail in the coffin for Bayern Munich’s chances of going to Kyiv. Look at this mistake though by Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich.

Bayern got a goal back in the 63rd minute from former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez. That gave Bayern more than 25 minutes to try and get that third away goal to steal it. They could not as Real Madrid are through to their third consecutive Champions League final.

Next: Liverpool being threatened by Salah exit talks

This Madrid dynasty is the best of the millennium

This might seem incredibly obvious, but all the numbers and incredible performances over the last five years make Real Madrid the best dynasty in soccer since the year 2000. They have the greatest Champions League goalscorer in Ronaldo and young studs in Asensio and Isco to take some pressure off of Cristiano.

Not to mention a couple of the best midfielders in the world (Toni Kroos and Luka Modric). They have the best left-back in the world in Marcelo and the concentration to beat these giants.

This year’s run is the most impressive for Madrid in this Champions League stretch. La Liga and the Copa del Rey were lost in January and to make the Champions League final, Zidane and company had to play PSG, Juventus, and Bayern to get to Kyiv. That is literally the hardest schedule they could have gotten. Madrid got through it.

Madrid’s best match-up for the final

Roma. Liverpool could cause some problems for Madrid in one game. Mo Salah would be Marcelo’s toughest challenge of the season and Liverpool’s midfield has superior speed and tackling ability to win the ball in the middle of the pitch.

Roma could not beat Madrid in one game. Over two legs, they would have a chance. Madrid would beat Roma by three goals if they played in the final. First, Roma needs to recreate the miracle of the quarterfinals and beat Liverpool at the Stadio Olimpico.