Vinicius Junior scores twice, including a late penalty, to secure a 2-2 draw for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich in a thrilling semi-final first leg.
Vinicius Junior emerged as the hero for Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, scoring twice to secure a 2-2 draw. The Brazilian forward’s performance, which included a crucial penalty in the 83rd minute, was pivotal as Real staged a strong comeback against the German giants at the Allianz Arena.
The match began with Bayern Munich dominating possession and creating several early chances. Leroy Sané and Harry Kane were particularly active, threatening Real’s goal multiple times. Despite this pressure, it was Vinicius who opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 24th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Kim Min-jae.
Bayern responded vigorously in the second half. Sané quickly equalized with a powerful strike in the 53rd minute, followed shortly by a penalty from Harry Kane, putting Bayern ahead. However, Real Madrid refused to buckle under pressure, and Vinicius Junior’s second goal from the penalty spot, awarded after a foul on Rodrygo, drew the team level once again.
This intense clash saw Bayern regain some control after their quick goals but struggled to convert chances into a lead. Real Madrid, known for their resilience in European competitions, demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure, with Kroos and Vinicius forcing strong saves from Manuel Neuer.
The match statistics highlighted an evenly matched contest, with Bayern holding a slight edge in possession and shots on target. However, Vinicius Junior’s clinical finishing ensured that Real Madrid would return to the Bernabeu with a valuable draw, keeping their hopes alive in the competition.
The upcoming second leg at the Bernabeu promises to be a decisive encounter, with both teams having everything to play for. The performance of players like Kane and Vinicius will likely be crucial as both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid seek to advance to the Champions League final.
