Substitute Joselu settled the wild VAR drama: Real Madrid to the final

The veteran striker fell asleep on the grass, crying, when the final whistle sounded more than 10 minutes into stoppage time. While Bayern Munich players ran directly towards the Polish referee in the semi-final match and were angry at the decisions he made on the eve of extra time.

The referee called for offside early when Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt put the ball into the net near the end. Bayern's protests were violent. Veteran Thomas Müller raced against Simon Marciniak.

But it didn't help that the Pole and his assistant didn't wait. Bayern Munich lost.

– If the decision was indeed offside, it is an absolutely unbelievable decision, said Thomas Muller after the match.

The referee's early whistle halted further assessment of the situation. The veteran Bayern player does not understand that the referee did not let the situation go. He may have been evaluated by the VAR team.

– I can't understand it. A huge mistake in one of football's biggest matches, Muller tells Channel 2.

– It's a disaster. It must be played to the end. This is the rule. The assistant referee committed the error and the referee committed the other error. There is a breach of the regulations, Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel tells DAZN about the controversial situation.

“!!!Joselu is in my life!!!” The Madrid newspaper wrote Marka.

– An absolutely crazy evening, Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger tells TV 2.

– Joselu works hard in training every day. He's definitely our hero, says the plug.

Real Madrid will face Julian Ryerson's Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium on June 1. The royalty of European football could claim a 15th Champions League title and the previous League Cup Winners' Cup. Coach Carlo Ancelotti can win his fifth Champions League title.

Brazilian Vinicius Junior, the Real Madrid star, took control and hit the post and challenged the Bayern Munich goalkeeper with a precise shot. He did everything but score.

– This is Real Madrid. We always, always believe, says Vinicius Junior, who was named the best on the pitch.

The drama started in earnest midway through the second half.

• 0–1 (minute 67): Suddenly it exploded from the Canadian alternative to Bayern Munich. Alphonso Davies entered the penalty area and connected the ball to the opposite cross with his right foot.

– His worst foot, but his best shot ever, says TV 2 expert Bridie Hangeland.

Real Madrid responded – literally – live.

A smart corner kick from Luka Modric ended in Bayern's goal through scorer Davies. But Real Madrid captain Nacho's hands dropped Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich to the ground in the corner.

Simon Marciniak disappeared on television. The Pole soon discovered that Nacho's hands worked outside the scope of football rules.

But Vinicius Junior was not finished. Bayern Munich had a player out and challenged Brazilian Manuel Neuer for the ninth time this evening.

• 1–1 (minute 88): Bayern's goalkeeper was unable to stop the powerful shot. Substitute striker Joselu was returning. The Santiago Bernabeu stadium exploded. The setback was huge for Neuer (38 years old), who controlled the semi-finals until he made the mistake.

– Neuer will save it 10 out of 10 times, Hangeland said.

Now properly softened. Soon Joselu was on the move again.

• 2-1 (90.+2 minutes): The 34-year-old was on the job from Antonio Rudiger. Joselu put the ball straight into the goal and the referee's arm rose into the air.

But the offside had to be checked.

Simon Marciniak reaches the opposite conclusion. The goal remains.

And so Joselu – José Mato Sanmartín – remains the great hero in Madrid.

El-Badawi has been at eight clubs since he last had much success at Real Madrid 12 years ago. He scored his first goal with the national team only last year, against Norway. He has played for three German clubs, but has never experienced victory over Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid dominated the first half. But they had to go scoreless at the end of the first half.

Thanks to Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and his right position.

Real Madrid's Brazilian striker duo had a fantastic double chance. But Vinicius Junior's shot ended up on the metal, while Neuer made a fine save when Rodrigo had a chance on the rebound.

He did not play for Bayern Munich, but he did not have a major role at the Santiago Bernabéu. Harry Kane was released once. Real goalkeeper Andrey Lunin blocked the shot, but it likely went wide of the goal anyway.

The England striker had the fewest touches ever before half-time. There wasn't much after the break. Bayern Munich reached the Champions League final for 21 minutes.

But he lost everything to a striker with a past in Hannover, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim.