Real Madrid into third straight UEFA Champions League final

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Europe

03:08

Real Madrid was hosting Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League semifinal. Los Blancos came in holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Germany, and was looking to hold off the Bundesliga champions for reaching their third straight final with a chance to win the world's top club competition for the third year in a row.

The Santiago Bernabeu packed to support 12-time European champs Real. But they fall behind just three minutes in when Sergio Ramos fails to clear a cross, and Joshua Kimmich knocks in the loose ball to make it 1-0 Bayern and 2-2 on aggregate.

The champions bounce back quickly just seven minutes later. Marcelo finds Karim Benzema at the back post, and the French striker nods calmly into the net.

Real Madrid players celebrate as they reach the final after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Muenchen at the Bernabeu on May 1, 2018, in Madrid, Spain. /Getty Images/VCG Photo

That means Munich must score to stay alive and in the 33rd minute, Robert Lewandowski has his initial attempt denied by Keylor Navas, and former Real player James Rodriguez fires high from close range.

A terrible back-pass is made 21 seconds after the break when Sven Ulreich misses it, allowing Benzema to tap in for a 2-1 advantage for the hosts.

Bayern are able to keep their composure and equalize in the 63rd minute when James pounces on his own rebound to make it 2-2.

Bayern Munich keep attacking and a deep cross finds Frank Ribery. The Frenchman is going to set up James, but the Colombian can't get a good shot off.

Real Madrid manages to hang on as it ends in a 2-2 draw, and a 4-3 win on aggregate for the defending champions. Los Blancos become the first team since Juventus in 1998 to reach the European final three years in a row, and will have a chance to equal Bayern, who in 1976, were the last side to win on the continent for a third straight year.

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