Barcelona return to the Champions League final after four years in the wilderness with a 5-3 aggregate semi-final win over Bayern Munich.
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(Video) Bayern Munich 1-0 Barcelona: Unlikely goal from Benatia gives Bayern hope
On the night, at the Allianz Arena, Pep Guardiola’s side salvaged some pride with a 3-2 win over the Catalans but it was a performance too late to make a difference to the overall outcome.
It was a game that seemed to have everything with some athletic goalkeeping, incredibly finishing and delightful football.
Mehdi Benatia unexpectedly opening the scoring for the Bayern after seven minutes to give a sliver of hope that an unlikely turnaround was possible.
Unmarked on a corner, the defender headed home past a helpless ter Stegen.
But that indomitable front three weren’t to be denied and only eight minutes later were Barcelona level after Lionel Messi carved open the German defence, allowing Luis Suarez to draw out Neuer before passing the ball to Neymar to tap into an empty net.
On another night, Bayern could have regained the lead but ter Stegen was on hand to make a wonderful stop from Thomas Muller.
And that miss proved costly with Neymar again the recipient of a Messi-Suarez masterclass the slam the ball past Neuer’s near post to give Barcelona the lead on the night and a commanding 5-1 aggregate lead.
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