Lucky Real escapes from Dortmund with last-four spot

2014-04-09 08:56

By (Agencies)

Lucky Real escapes from Dortmund with last-four spot

Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski (L) goes for a header with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos during their Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match against Real Madrid in Dortmund, April 8, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Fiery start

The Germans got off to a fiery start, looking for an early goal that could set them on their way.

Real, however, squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead and put the tie all but beyond the hosts when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by defender Lukasz Piszczek and Angel Di Maria had it saved by Roman Weidenfeller.

A minute later it was Dortmund's turn to miss with Mkhitaryan firing wide from close range but Reus made amends, pouncing on a defensive mistake by Pepe to slot in for the lead.

Mats Hummels almost added another as the hosts piled on the pressure but his well-timed header was palmed over the bar by Casillas.

Germany international Reus crashed in his second goal after he charged forward following another Real mistake, this time from Asier Illarramendi, fed striker Robert Lewandowski, who hit the post, and was left unmarked to drill in at the far post.

"You could make a video of this game and show it to the teams that lose a first leg 3-0," said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp. "My players wanted to go through but we were missing that one goal we did not score in Madrid (last week).

"The lads gave it everything they had and I have no idea how many kilometres they ran today."

Real brought on Isco in the second half to control possession and they briefly succeeded as Dortmund lost some of their passing sharpness and pace.

Dortmund were lurking on the break and almost levelled the tie when Armenian Mkhitaryan rounded Casillas but only managed to hit the post in the 65th minute.

The Germans then poured forward, determined to score a third that would force extra time, but could not find the back of the net, exiting the competition with their heads held high and to a standing ovation from their fans in the 65,000 crowd.