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Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid to set up Champions League semifinal Korean derby

Published: 16 Apr. 2026, 12:22 Updated: 16 Apr. 2026, 17:39

Bayern's players pose for photographers before the start of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second-leg football match against Real Madrid in Munich on April 15. [AP/YONHAP]

Bayern Munich survived a seven-goal thriller against Real Madrid to reach the UEFA Champions League semifinals, setting up a possible on-field meeting between Kim Min-jae and Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in.

Bayern won 4-3 at home and advanced 6-4 on aggregate after taking the first leg 2-1 in Madrid.

The quarterfinal exploded into life almost immediately after the game began at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday.

Arda Güler put Madrid ahead after 34 seconds when he intercepted Manuel Neuer’s attempted pass and scored from a distance.

Aleksandar Pavlović headed Bayern level from a Joshua Kimmich corner five minutes later, but Güler restored Madrid’s lead with a free kick in the 29th minute.

Harry Kane made it 2-2 in the 38th minute before Kylian Mbappé finished from a Vinícius Júnior pass four minutes later to leave the tie level on aggregate at halftime.

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals second-leg match against Real Madrid in Munich on April 15 [EPA/YONHAP]

Bayern finally turned the tide for good late in the second half. Substitute Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in the 86th minute, Luis Díaz curled in the winner in the 89th, and Michael Olise added another in stoppage time to send the German side through.

Munich defender Kim, who was on the bench, did not play as Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah started in central defense.

Bayern will play the away first leg of the semifinals on April 29 and the home second leg on May 7.

Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich, left, celebrates with his teammates Dayot Upamecano, center, and Jonathan Tah after scoring the 3-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals second-leg match against Real Madrid in Munich on April 15 [EPA/YONHAP]

Bayern will now face PSG, who eliminated Liverpool 4-0 on aggregate, meaning either Kim or Lee will move on to the Champions League final. PSG won the competition for the first time last season, making Lee part of a reigning European champion team.

This will be the third Champions League meeting involving Kim and Lee across the past two seasons. Kim scored the winner in Bayern’s 1-0 league-phase victory over PSG in November 2024. Lee then helped PSG pull one back in a 2-1 loss to Bayern in November 2025, while Kim came on late for the German club.

Whichever team wins, at least one Korean player will feature in the Champions League final on May 31. Lee was part of last season’s Champions League-winning squad. Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min previously played in the final for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively.

Meanwhile, Arsenal drew 0-0 with Sporting CP at home and advanced 1-0 on aggregate on the same day. Arsenal will face Atlético de Madrid in the other semifinal after the Spanish club knocked out Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich greets supporters after his team wins the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals second-leg match between against Real Madrid in Munich on April 15. [EPA/YONHAP]

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY PARK LIN [[email protected]]