Champions League semi-final round-up: Dortmund edge through in Madrid as Bayern humiliate Barça

It will be an all-German final at Wembley on 25^th May, after both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich progressed following their impressive performances in the first leg. Dortmund survived a late comeback from Real Madrid, whilst Bayern Munich humiliated Barcelona at the Nou Camp with a convincing 3-0 victory.

Dortmund headed to the Santiago Bernebau with a three goal advantage and it paid off at the final whistle, as the German outfit survived a 90 minute onslaught from Real Madrid. The Spaniards were guilty of missing a whole host of chances despite winning 2-0.

Madrid was dominant from start to finish. Slick in their approach, los galacticos’ only downfall was their inability to put their chances away.

Dortmund could have wrapped the tie up in the second half, when the hero of leg one Robert Lewandowski struck the bar. However, Dortmund was forced to defend deep into injury-time in order to stop Real Madrid squeezing through on away goals.

Late goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos were not enough to rescue the game as the Spanish giants crashed out 4-3 on aggregate.

With no away goal, Barcelona’s task was a big one as they looked to clamber back a 4-0 deficit from the Allianz Arena. With Lionel Messi on the bench Barça struggled to get into the game and was comfortably brushed aside by a rampant Bayern Munich.

Just after half time, Arjen Robben put the game beyond reasonable doubt with a superb effort from the edge of the box. With Barcelona now needing six goals, an own goal from Gerard Pique and a close ranger header from Thomas Muller helped claim a famous victory.

Below par Barcelona were beaten 7-0 on aggregate and it was the first 7-0 aggregate win in a European Cup semi-final since 1982, when Bayern Munich beat CSKA Sofia.

Without Messi the Vilanova’s squad at times looked distinctly average – especially at the back – where they were caught out too often as they looked to press for goals.

Critics are beginning to suggest that the era of Spanish dominance in football is coming to an end, with the emphasis on passing being a thing of the past. Few could argue that German football is at an all-time high following these two victories.

Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich will lock horns at Wembley on 25^th May, with Dortmund reporting on Twitter that they have received over 100,000 applications for tickets – signalling the magnitude of the game and most importantly how well supported German football is.

With low ticket prices and teams such as Dortmund and Munich, the Bundesliga is now being recognised as a major force in dethroning the dominance of Spanish football, 7-0 and 4-3 aggregate results over arguably the two best teams in the world is a testament to the fact that German football is the dawn of a new era in football domination.

Thomas Bradley, football correspondent

Final results

Real Madrid 2(3) – 0(4) Borussia Dortmund
Barcelona 0(0) – 3(7) Bayern Munich