...Beat Dortmund 2-1
ARJEN Robben exorcised the ghosts of last season’s penalty miss against Chelsea to score the winner for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
The Dutchman rolled in the decisive goal against Borussia Dortmund in the final few moments, having twice been denied in the first half. He also set up the opener for Mario Mandzukic.
Dortmund pegged the favourites back from the penalty spot after Dante bought down Marco Reus. Ilkay Gundogan blasted the equaliser.
But late, late on, Robben surged clear and trickled the ball into the bottom corner to secure a fifth European title for the Germans.
The first half of the Champions League final had a little bit of everything for soccer fans to enjoy. Entertaining open play, great shots, even better saves, but the one thing it didn’t have was goals. Both sides had their chances but thanks to outstanding work from both goalkeepers, it’s scoreless at the break.
After a nervy opening 10 minutes, things began to open up with Dortmund becoming the dominant side as the half moved along. The first real effort on goal came in the 10th minute when Dortmund finally were able to move into the attacking third and after Kevin Grosskreutz’s initial pass was blocked, he jumped back on the ball and unleashed a shot that curled well away from danger.
Robert Lewandowski had the first official shot on goal in the 13th minute, blasting an effort from 25 yards out that was pushed over the crossbar by Manuel Neuer. A minute later Neuer denied Jakub Blaszczykowski, blocking away a redirected cross from short range.
Marco Reus got free in the 19th minute, showing his speed and quickness on a counter attack out of nowhere, but his shot from just on the edge of the Bayern area was parried away by Neuer. Three minutes later Dortmund were back again as Grosskreutz chased down a deflected ball into the left corner and centered back to Sven Bender for a low shot toward the far post that Neuer was able to smother.
