Dortmund reaches Champions League final

Updated: 2013-05-01 16:15

(Xinhua)

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Dortmund reaches Champions League final

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos stands on the pitch dejected after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match against Borussian Dortmund at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, April 30, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Madrid had little option other than all-out attack at the start of the second half, but half fell to Lewandowski, who smashed a shot against the underside of the bar after 50 minutes and five minutes later Mourinho made a double change when he replaced Fabio Coentrao and Gonzalo Higuain for Kaka and Karim Benzema, meaning his side would play with just three men in defense.

Borussia almost took advantage of that after 61 minutes when Reus sent a low ball to Iklay Gundogan, who looked certain to score until Diego Lopez pulled off a fine flying save.

The German side was starting to look in control and Mourinho used his last change to bring on Sami Khedira for Xabi Alonso.

Ronaldo fired over the bar and Kaka stabbed the ball wide of the post as the game went into the last 20 minutes with Madrid still needing three goals to qualify.

At the other end Lewandowski saw another chance charged down as his side again took advantage of the extra space in the Madrid defense.

Madrid finally got a goal with eight minutes remaining when Benzema pushed home Ozil's cross from the right to give some life to a game that had threatened to escape them. That saw Madrid up a gear to look for a second that would leave them one goal from an incredible fightback.

Weidenfelller produced a great save to deny Benzema but with Madrid piling on the pressure Ramos lashed home from close range as Borussia failed to clear a cross.

The game went into five minutes of injury time with the crowd on their feet and Madrid giving everything for a miracle. Ramos headed wide from a corner and Madrid kept trying, but at the end it was too little too late for the Spaniards and Borussia will play in the final.

Dortmund reaches Champions League final

Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski (L) hugs his team mate Marco Reus as they celebrate after the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, April 30, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

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