Villarreal eliminated Bayern Munich from the Champions League on Tuesday, with Samuel Chukwueze’s 88th-minute goal drawing the Spaniards 1-1 in the second leg of their quarter-final tie at the Allianz Arena, sending them through 2-1 on aggregate.
After Villarreal’s 1-0 first-leg triumph, Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead on the night to draw the tie on aggregate, and extra time loomed until Chukwueze struck.
Bayern Munich will exit the Champions League in the quarter-finals for the second year in a row as a result of this defeat.
For the first time since 2006, Villarreal has advanced to the semi-finals and will face either Liverpool or Benfica in the final four. The English side leads 3-1 going into the second game at Anfield on Wednesday.
With the exception of Lewandowski’s goal early in the second half, Unai Emery’s Villarreal took up everything Bayern threw at them.
Bayern had dominated for the whole of the game until Chukwueze came on and scored just four minutes later.
Bayern started quickly, but Villarreal’s defense reacted quickly to any threat. Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann switched to a three-man defense rather than a back four.
The back three of Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, and Lucas Hernandez kept Villarreal pinned in their own half for the majority of the first half.
With the exception of Lewandowski’s goal early in the second half, Unai Emery’s Villarreal took up everything Bayern threw at them.
Bayern started quickly, but Villarreal’s defense reacted quickly to any threat. Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann switched to a three-man defense rather than a back four.
For the majority of the first half, Villarreal were pinned in their own half as Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, and Lucas Hernandez commanded play from the back.
Despite their dominance of possession, Bayern’s sole clear chance in a goalless first half came from Jamal Musiala’s header straight at Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
The game’s first booking was given to Lewandowski, who was largely well marshalled.
The Villarreal back four fought tirelessly throughout the game, but left-back Pervis Estupinan had an especially busy first half as Leroy Sane probed down the flank.
In the 52nd minute, Bayern eventually broke the deadlock.
A stray pass from defense only made it to Kingsley Coman, who then passed the ball to Thomas Mueller.
The ball was slid into the path of Lewandowski, who managed to get his shot past two defenders and Rulli, who was diving.
To celebrate his 13th goal in ten Champions League games this season, the Poland striker let forth a primal scream.
Mueller came close with a diving header but was left with his head in his hands, as was Coman when he fired over soon after.
Serge Gnabry and Alphonso Davies were brought in by Nagelsmann in an attempt to get a crucial second goal before the end of the 90 minutes.
Villarreal, on the other hand, startled the home crowd when Gerard Moreno broke down the left flank.
Chukwueze sent a low cross flying over Neuer, allowing the Spaniards to advance.
AFP
