Real escape from Dortmund with Champions League last-four spot

Lacklustre Real Madrid edged past Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on aggregate after slumping to a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday to advance to the Champions League semi-finals and stay on track for their tenth European crown.

Two first half goals by Marco Reus, both coming from Real mistakes, gave Dortmund a deserved lead as the Spaniards, who had a penalty saved in the 17th minute, were left mesmerised by the Germans' frantic pace.

Real, with top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo left on the bench due a minor knee injury, saw their 3-0 advantage from the first leg in Madrid almost evaporate in a disastrous first half for them.

"That was too much suffering and I think it was deserved," said Real keeper Iker Casillas. "But from time to time it's good to have this kind of wake up call that reminds us it's not always easy, and especially not in the Champions League.

"It is better that it happened in this game than in the decisive matches to come. We had to show quite a lot of mental strength because going 2-0 down by the 37th minute there were a lot of things going through our heads."

Real, who twice lost to Dortmund in Germany in last season's competition including a 4-1 thrashing in the first leg of their semi-final, briefly recovered in the second half before the Germans, last season's runners-up, again surged forward, missing half a dozen clear scoring chances and also hitting the post.

The Spaniards' first leg performance, however, carried them into their fourth consecutive Champions League semi-final, leaving Dortmund to rue their missed opportunities.

"After our performance in the first half we felt we could score four or five goals against them," Dortmund's Oliver Kirch said.

FIERY START

The Germans got off to a fiery start, looking for an early goal that could set them on their way.

Real, however, squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead and put the tie all but beyond the hosts when they were awarded a penalty for a hand ball by defender Lukasz Piszczek and Angel Di Maria had it saved by Roman Weidenfeller.

A minute later it was Dortmund's turn to miss with Henrikh Mkhitaryan firing wide from close range but Reus made amends in the 24th, pouncing on a defensive mistake by Pepe to slot in for the lead.

Mats Hummels almost added another as the hosts piled on the pressure but his well-timed header was palmed over the bar by Real keeper Iker Casillas.

Germany international Reus crashed in his second goal in the 37th when he charged forward after another Real mistake, this time from Asier Illarramendi, fed striker Robert Lewandowski who hit the post, and was left unmarked to drill in at the far post.

Real brought on Isco in the second half to control possession and they briefly succeeded as Dortmund lost some of their passing sharpness and pace.

Dortmund were lurking on the break and almost levelled the tie when Armenian Mkhitaryan rounded Casillas but only managed to hit the post in the 65th minute.

The Germans then poured forward, determined to score a third that would force extra time but could not find the back of the net, leaving the competition with their heads held high.

FULL TIME

Dortmund 1 (Reus 24", Reus 37")  Real Madrid 0

Dortmund outmatched Real Madrid 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final second leg match played at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.

Real though started as favourites and began attacking on the start with Di María threatening to open account twice failed to impact.

Dortmund with Lewandowski and Reus in top form looked threatening in the counter attack and stunned Real in the 24th minute with Reus grabs a Pepe's mistimed header and

latches on to slam home the ball beating Casillas under the crossbar.

Real fought strongly only to earn a couple of yellow cards shown to Alonso and Ramos.

Reus once again stings back with a goal with Lewandowski missing  to get his name on the scoresheet as Casillas finger tips deflects the ball onto the poll but Reus slams the ball on the rebound to nail the goal.

Dortmund at half time looked upbeat with a 2-0 lead against Real.

The second half was all about close misses by Dortmund and Real. Mkhitaryan missed twice with Reus setting him up in the box.

While Real missed to open account with Benzema and Bale missing the net on two ocassions.

The second half kept the ref busy with Reus and Piszczek being booked while Benzema, Casemiro and Carvajal too had their share of the card.

92+2  Benzema booked now is called off the field and replaced by Varane.

89" Benzema sprints ahead off a Pepe pass with Bale on the right flank of the box. 

88" Dortmiund attack but Bale breaks through with Ramos dashing towards the rival end.

87" Lewandowski winas the ball over to tap it onto Reus but Bale latches onto a mistimed pass.

85" Real move on top with the ball as the clocks races towards the full time mark.

84" Real look out of form with Ronaldo sitting on the bench with Bale and Benzema struggling to get the breakthrough.

83" Both teams fight hard with Casemiro attacking fiercely but tackles Reus and is booked.

79" Benzema dodges two defenders in the box with only Weidenfeller blocking him but his shot is well read and collected by the alert keeper.

78" Pepe and new man in Casemiro labour hard with Modric suppoting from the midfield.

74: Reus booked by ref Skomina for feigning in the box.Ronaldo looks anxiously from the bench as the danger fades off.

73" Real make quick substitution calls off Di María and Casemiro looks to take his role in the midfield.

71: Reus on the ball in the box looking for support from the left flank as Real look for the offisde flag.

69" Casillas is time anad again tested with Mkhitaryan unleashing a salvo well punched out for a corner.

67" But Mkhitaryan steers clear two defenders in the box but fails to wrap up with a clean finish with Casillas completely beaten.

65" Reus chips the ball to Mkhitaryan ahead in the box with Pepe looking to intercept the ball. 

60" Bale moves the ball once again but Großkreutz intercepts to flick the ball to Reus.

58" Großkreutz loses the ball to Alonso who moves it on top to Bale who takes a first timer with Benzema watching helplessly as he misses the net.

57" Xavi and Benzema move the ball along the right flank.Modric steps in to collect.

53" Lewandowski and Piszczek move up with the ball but Bale blocks them only to find the ball pushed back to Durm.

50" Alonso looked in serious trouble after Mkhitaryan goes down with Alonso on his heels.Ref signals to carry on.

48" Real press ahead with Bale slamming hard in the box with Weidenfeller making a brilliant save.

46" Dortmund attack strongly in second half with Kirch and Jojic on the ball. 

HALF TIME

Dortmund 1 (Reus 24", Reus 37")  Real Madrid 0

45" Real regroup with Bale getting his act together alonng with Alonso. Ref Skomina signals half time.

44" Real players huddle in the box as Friedrich moves the ball again to Reus who is marked solidly by Real.

43" Dortmund are top of their game now with Reus giving Real a torrid time.

41" Real look stunned and fall back to defend as Reus and Lewandowski storm the defense time and again.

40" Reus and Piszczek coordinate well to move the ball to Lewandowski.

Dortmund 1 (Reus 24", Reus 37")  Real Madrid 0

37" GOAL! Lewandowski misses to find the mark as Casillas finger tips deflects the ball onto the poll but Reus slams the ball on the rebound.

35" Real move the ball with Pepe tapping the ball to Ramos.

34" Dortmund find their feet with Lewandowski and Reus tormenting the Real defence.

32" Casillas does well to read Reus guise as Hummels header is pushed over the cross bar.

31" Lewandowski surges but Alonso is booked by ref. Free kick taken by Reus on the edge of the box.

28" A confident looking Lewandowski and Kirch push on but Real are standing put with Pepe and Ramos watching the ball.

27" Yellow card for Ramos as he attempts to push overLewandowski but the ref spots him on.

Dortmund 1 (Reus 24") Real Madrid 0

24" GOAL! Reus grabs a Pepe's mistimed header and latches on to slam home the ball for Dortmund.

17" Di María takes penalty off a Hummels hand ball called by ref in the box. But Weidenfeller reads well to save.

13" Jojic moves the ball up to Durm but Ramos blocks him. Modric shoots to the midfield .

11" Xavi and Modric plot moves in the midfield but Reus and Hummels read well to block the threats.

8" Real defend and attack solidly with Bale and Alonso labouring in the midfield.

21" Real on the attack with Pepe and Illarramendi plotting the moves.

19" Mkhitaryan surges ahead in the counter attack with Xavi on his heels but slams hard wide off the mark.

7" Reus and Großkreutz attempt to move the ball but Xavi Alonso tackles Reus and is warned by the ref.

5 "Dortmund attacks with Kirch and Lewandowski but Casillas collects firmly.

2" Real move the ball around with Fábio taking the throw in. Ball in Real's possesion.

1" Real attack on the blow of the whistle.

Teams now on the ground and wait for the kick-off.

Five minutes to kick-off and the teams line-up for the exciting match on hand.

While Real will want to avenge last year's 4-1 semi-final defeat at Dortmund when Lewandowski scored all four.

Dortmund face an uphill task even with Lewandowski back in their side after missing the first leg with injury.

Real are on the verge of the CL semi-finals after their convincing 3-0 win over Borussia in last Wednesday's first-leg after goals by Gareth Bale, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo.

STARTING XI

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszcze, kDurm, Kirch, Friedrich, Hummels, Großkreutz, Jojic, Lewandowski, Mkhitaryan, Reus.

Subs:  Hofmann, Aubameyang, Sahin, Langerak, Schieber, Papastathopoulos, Ducksch.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Fábio Coentrão, Alonso, Pepe, Ramos,Illarramendi, Modric, Benzema, Di María, Bale.

Subs: Varane, Ronaldo, Casemiro, Nacho , Morata, Isco , López.

Robert Lewandowski is available after missing the first leg through injury, though Sebastian Kehl is banned.

Gareth Bale, though is expected to start.

Neven Subotic, Ilkay Gündogan, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Sven Bender and Jannik Bandowski are sidelined through injury.

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Borussia Dortmund: 4-2-3-1

Real Madrid: 4-3-3

STAT ATTACK

Real Madrid have won 9 of their last 10 matches in the Champions League .

Borussia Dortmund have seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.

Borussia Dortmund have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches in the Champions League.

Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in their last 10 matches in the Champions League 

The sides met four times in all last season as Dortmund won their semi-final 4-3 on aggregate to progress to the final.

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