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Bayern win 3-2 but Barcelona progress into CL final

Xinhua, May 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

Two Neymar goals were enough to make sure Barcelona progress into the final despite a 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich at the second leg of UEFA Champions League's semifinals on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich crashed out for the second time in row at the Champions League semifinals as the German giants failed to overturn the 3-0 first leg loss against Barcelona. Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola's men end Barcelona's overall 18-match unbeaten streak.

The Bavarians caught a fairy tale start in front of outsold Allianz Arena as Medhi Benatia scored an early opener but two away-goal by Barcelona's Neymar, within 14 minutes, made Bayern's task too great. Thus, "Barca" secured their eight Champions League final ticket.

Barcelona nearly caught the hosts flatfooted when Daniel Alves lobbed a pass into path of Ivan Rakitic, who forced Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to make a safe early in the game.

Bayern remained unimpressed by Barcelona's first and worked out a number of opportunities before Xabi Alonso's corner found Medhi Benatia, whose header from the edge of the box overcame Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the 7th minute.

The home side pressed frenetically for another goal, as they still were in need of three more goals to progress into the final, meanwhile Barcelona lurked for their chances on fast breaks.

The visitors showed a clinical chance conversion as Barcelona equalized the scores with their second chance when Lionel Messi set Luis Suraz free before the striker passed across the goal to the far post where Neymar tapped into the empty net to make it 1-1 at the 15th minute.

Bayern wobbled but they were still able to keep Barcelona's defense busy as Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller tested goalkeeper ter Stegen with their efforts.

However, the goals were scored at the other end of the pitch as Suarez assisted Neymar once again. The Brazilian international slotted home from inside of the box into the near post corner to turn the tides on the road.

Pep Guardiola's men kept it bowling and continued to produce chances. Their efforts were rewarded after the restart when Lewandowski sidestepped Javier Mascherano to curl home inside the post at the 59th minute.

The hosts were not done with the scoring as Thomas Mueller made use of a one-two with Bastian Schweinsteiger to hammer home from 18 meters into the top right corner with 16 minutes remaining.

However, the 3-2 wasn't enough, as Barcelona progress 5-3 on aggregate to play the final at Berlin's Olympia stadium on June 6. Endi