Bayern Munich Were On The Cusp Of All German UCL Final, Then Real Madrid Happened

Two late goals and 14-time European champions Real Madrid dramatically secured their spot in the final of the UEFA Champions League 2023-24. But, until the 88th minute of the game, the football world was getting ready to embrace an all-German title clash in Europe's most elite club football competition. Bayern Munich had one leg in the final, having led the scoreboard until the 88th minute when Joselu, a former Stoke City, Newcastle United, and Espanyol striker stepped up to pull his team level, thanks to a mistake from Manuel Neuer, one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. A few minutes later, Real Madrid struck again through Joselu, making it 2-1 up, and turning the semi-final clash upside down, just like they have time and again. A repeat of the 2013 Champions League final, between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund was on the cards, but in a matter of minutes, Real Madrid happened.

Gone are the days when Sergio Ramos used to step up in injury time and head home winners for Real Madrid in the Champions League. Los Blancos don't even have the services of the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo to bank on to produce those clutch moments that got them to 14 Champions League titles, 7 more than the second-placed AC Milan and 8 more than their opponents on the day, Bayern Munich.

Yet, Real Madrid, arguably the most powerful football club in the world, found a way to pull the rabbit out of the hat, with their former youth player Joselu stepping up twice in a matter of minutes to all but seal a spot in the Champions League final for his team. "Real Madrid pulled off a Real Madrid" was to be the headlines in the papers the next day. But, the script had a final twist in store. Well, almost.

Just a minute before the full-time