Villarreal stun Bayern Munich to reach UCL semis

Football

Substitute Samuel Chukwueze scored a sensational breakaway goal to send Villarreal into the Champions League semifinals at the expense of Bayern Munich with a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena that gave them a 2-1 aggregate victory.

The game looked to be heading for extra time after Villarreal had put in a defensive masterclass to frustrate Bayern in front of their own fans but Chukwueze’s 88th-minute strike earned Unai Emery’s team a last four showdown with Liverpool or Benfica.

Julian Nagelsmann set up his team to attack with with Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman at wing-back and Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Jamal Musiala forming an forward trident but they couldn’t break down Villarreal’s defence.

Villarreal left no space for Bayern to create meaningful opportunities and the Champions League’s top goal scorers this campaign were reduced to one shot on target in a first half that also saw Lewandowski cautioned for a late challenge on Raul Albiol.

Bayern started the second half with greater intensity and were on level terms on 52 minutes when they won the ball high up the pitch and, with Villarreal’s players out of position, Lewandowski shot home from the edge of the box to equalise.

Normal service resumed shortly after with Bayern looking blunt in front of goal and struggling to create meaningful openings. The game looked set to head for 30 minutes of extra-time before Chukwueze, who only entered the pitch in the 84th minute, finished past Manuel Neuer from close range to settle the game in Villarreal’s favour.

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