26.05.2013 02:00

Champions League: Robben silences critics

For those who have criticized Arjen Robben, Bayern's Dutch midfield player, for missing a penalty in last year's home final against Chelsea FC, he had the perfect answer tonight in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund with the winning goal one minute from time.

Bayern Munich have had a fantastic season, winning the Bundesliga (German Championship) for the first time in 3 years and the Champions League, beating fellow German team Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium, London. Bayern's 57% ball possession (against Dortmund's 43%), 14 shots against 12, 9 on target (against 8), 5 off (against 4) and one ball on the woodwork were translated in two goals by Mandzukic (60) and Robben (89), while Gundogan scored from the penalty spot for Dortmund after 68 minutes.

History of this year's Champions League

As predicted in this column, the Champions League final in 2013 will see two German teams facing each other, a prelude towards Germany winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Make no mistake: the plan has been in place, it is bearing fruits and Bayern and Dortmund bear witness.

Barcelona 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Aggregate 0-7)

Robben 49; Piqué own goal 72; T. Müller 76

Semi-Final second leg

Real Madrid 2 Borussia Dortmund 0 (Aggregate 3-4)

Benzema 83

Ramos 88

Real Madrid is out of the Champions League competition for 2012-2013 after losing 4-1 at Dortmund and winning 2-0 at home. Aggregate score 4-3 to Dortmund. Just a goal shy, Real now looks to the Spanish Cup as a consolation for a disappointing season. The question now is whether Mourinho will stay or go to Chelsea if the Blues reach Champions League soccer next season. Failing that, Arsenal?

Semi-Finals First legs

Wednesday April 23

Borussia Dortmund 4 Real Madrid 1

Lewandowski C. Ronaldo 43

8, 50, 55, 66 (Pen)

A cruel second half for Mourinho, after leaving the field at 45 minutes with an excellent result. However, do not rule Real out.

Tuesday April 23

Bayern Munich 4 Barcelona 0

T.Müller 25, 82

Mário Gomez 49

Robben 73

Why do I get the feeling that the Bayern-Barcelona tie is not over...yet? After Bayern Munich turned on the class to outclass Barça in Germany at the Fussball Arena in Munich, Barcelona has a four-goal disadvantage to pull back. Impossible? They'll make a go of it.

Quarter-Finals

Barcelona 1 Paris Saint-Germain 1 Aggregate 3-3 Barcelona wins on away goals

Pedro Rodríguez 71 Pastore 50

First leg

PSG 2 Barcelona 2

Ibrahimovic 79 Messi 38

Matuidi 90+4 Xavi Hernández 89 (Pen)

Juventus 0 Bayern Munich 2 Aggregate 4-0 to Bayern

Mandzukic 64

Pizarro 90+1

First leg

Bayern Munich 2 Juventus 0

Alaba 1

T. Müller 63

Malaga threw away a 2-1 lead and a 2-2 draw in three minutes, losing concentration and losing the game right at the end against Borussia Dortmund after drawing the first game at home in Spain. Real lost at Galatasaray but precious goals from Cristiano Ronaldo (who else?) saved the day.

Dortmund 3 Malaga 2 (First leg Málaga 0 Dortmund 0) Aggregate: 3-2

Lewandowski 40 Joaquín 25

Reus 90+1 Eliseu 82

Felipe Santana 90+3

Galatasaray 3 Real Madrid 2 (First leg Real Madrid 3 Galatasaray 0)

Aggregate 3-5

Eboué 57 Ronaldo 7, 90+2

Sneijder 70

Drogba 72

First game Real 3 Galatasaray 0

Ronaldo, 9

Benzema, 29