Champions League: Dortmund survive Real rally

Borussia Dortmund survived a spirited Real Madrid fightback to book their place in the Champions League final on Tuesday going through 4-3 on aggregate despite conceding two late goals to lose 2-0 at the Bernabeu.

Real looked down and out before late goals from substitute Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos gave them hope.

But needing three goals to overturn the 4-1 deficit, Real left it too late for their comeback as Dortmund just held on to reach the final.

Benzema scored from close range in the 83rd minute and Ramos struck five minutes later but Dortmund survived some anxious moments during six minutes of injury time even as the Real fans were going wild in the stands.

Jose Mourinho's Real side paid the penalty for missing so many chances in the opening 25 minutes before Dortmund settled.

As the home side committed more men forward in the second half Dortmund also squandered several opportunities of their own.

Dortmund, the European champions in 1997 on their only appearance in the final, will play German rivals Bayern Munich or Barcelona in the May 25 showpiece at Wembley stadium.

Dortmund can thank Hummels for an excellent performance in keeping Real at bay for the majority of the game.

Ronaldo did not have the best of nights.

For all their effort, Real had nothing to show for the first half after being guilty of missing several chances.

Ozil was especially guilty of wasting a great opportunity.

Dortmund lost Gotze early on to apparent injury.

Lewandowski did not have much of an impact under some tough defending from Ramos.

A dejected Real manager Jose Mourinho said he may not remain as Real Madrid coach next season and plans to be "where people love me to be".

But he was full of praise for the manner in which they fought back.

"I don't forget the first match when we were very, very bad and we have been punished for that, not for tonight.

"Today we were a team, with character and desire, and we could have done it.

"They had a couple of big chances but because of how we were playing at the end where we risked everything."

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said: "It's a shame. Sometimes you lose, that is football. In Dortmund we should have played the way we did tonight. We feel for the fans. It's a shame to have been so close but the missed chances in the first half were costly."

Dortmund defender Mats Hummels was elated.

"Getting to a Champions League final is a dream come true for all of us. Especially at a famous stadium like Wembley," he said.

"It's unbelievable; something everyone in the team dreamed of since being an child. Some of us are still children. We are looking forward to Wembley."

"We got the result we wanted in the end. We knew if they scored the crowd would get behind them."

With Spanish King Juan Carlos watching from the VIP tribune and chants of "Yes we can!" echoing around Real's giant arena, the supporters unveiled an enormous mosaic depicting the Champions League trophy before kickoff.

Real's fired-up players took the game to Dortmund early on and Gonzalo Higuain drew a smart save from Roman Weidenfeller in the fourth minute.

Dortmund looked nervous but managed to get forward and Robert Lewandowski volleyed straight at Diego Lopez in the 13th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo had an almost identical chance moments later which Weidenfeller again did well to keep out.

After Dortmund playmaker Mario Goetze was forced off injured in the 14th minute, his Germany team mate Mesut Ozil had a golden chance to open Real's account when he was clean through on goal but his low strike flew narrowly wide of the post.

RESTLESS FANS

With Dortmund pressuring the Real players and denying them time on the ball, the home support began to get restless as the chances for the hosts started to dry up.

By halftime the Dortmund fans were starting to make themselves heard and the "Yes we cans!" seemed increasingly half-hearted.

As the second half began, Real's Portuguese coach Mourinho cut a worried-looking figure on the side of the pitch and striker Benzema immediately began to warm up.

Dortmund had two chances early in the second period and both fell to Lewandowski, who scored all four of the German side's goals in last week's 4-1 first leg victory.

The Poland forward struck a wild shot over the bar in the 49th minute and then raced clear onto a Marco Reus pass a minute later but smashed his effort against the crossbar.

Mourinho made a double substitution in the 57th minute when Benzema and Kaka replaced Higuain and Fabio Coentrao but it was Dortmund who looked more threatening by that stage.

Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez somehow managed to scramble across to deny Ilkay Guendogan who had the goal at his mercy and Lewandowski's shot was blocked by Michael Essien in the 76th.

Ozil crossed for Benzema to give Real a sliver of hope seven minutes from time and Ramos then smashed the ball into the roof of the net to set up a frantic finale but it was all too late.

FULL TIME

Real Madrid 2 Borussia Dortmund 0

(Dortmund go through on aggregate 4-3)

GOALS

Benzema 82, Ramos 88

YELLOW CARDS

Real Madrid

Coentrao, Higuaín, Ramos, Khedira

Dortmund

Gündoğan, Bender, Weidenfeller

Dortmund survive great Real comeback to reach Champions League final at Wembley on May 25.

90" + 6 Ronaldo tumbes in the penalty area under a challenge from Santana, who put his shoulder into the Real star. Referee Webb tells Ronaldo to get up.

Five minutes of added time.

SUBSTITUTION Dortmund bring on defender Felipe Santana for Sven Bender.

GOAL! Super finish by Sergio Ramos.

Karim Benzema squares the ball to Sergio Ramos 10 yards out and the defender hammers it into the roof of the net.

88" Real win three corners in quick succession. The third comes as Weidenfeller saves a deflected effort from Benzema.

SUBSTITUTION Robert Lewandowski is off and replaced by midfielder Sebastian Kehl.

Dortmund are defending with every man back deep as Real keep probing and peppering the goal.

YELLOW Weidenfeller is booked for refusing to let go of the ball after the goal.

GOAL! Karim Benzema scores

Ozil found room down the left and played an excellent ball across the face of the six-yard box to give Benzema a tap-in.

YELLOW Khedira booked for a sliding challenge on Blaszczykowski.

YELLOW Ramos will miss the next match.

78" Appeals for a free kick as the ball hits the hand of Hummels on the edge of the box is turned down.

77" Hummels denies Real again meets Modric's delivery from a free kick to head clear.

76" Lewandowski goes close but his shot is blocked by the flying body of Essien.

75" Real are running out of time as the Dortmunds fans can be heard singing at the Bernabeu.

71" Ozil sends in a lovely cross, which Ronaldo heads towards goal and the Angel Di Maria fails agonisingly at the far post.

70" Ronaldo stabs from the edge of the box with a toe-poke but it goes over the crossbar.

69" Kaka cannot get past Subotic after Modric wins the ball back for Real in midfield.

SUBSTITUTION Real make their final substitution, with Sami Khedira replacing Xabi Alonso.

67" Real Madrid miss another opportunity after some slick, one-touch passing but Angel Di Maria pokes his shot wide.

66" Reus fouls Ramos just inside the Real half.

63" Lewandowski he rises above a flat-footed Ramos but heads wide.

62" Lopez pulls off an incredible save as an unmarked Gundogan's close range shot is blocked.

61" Lewandowski and Ramos are again involved in a tussle with referee Webb bringing the situation under control.

57" Mourinho throws in Kaka and Benzema for Coentrao and Higuain in a desperate bid to spark a revival.

53" Dortmund win a corner on the left and Higuain flicks it on before Coentrao clears.

50" Lewandowski hits the crossbar after being played in by Reus. His powerful effort crashes against the underside of the bar and back out again.

49" Essien escapes a booking after a body-check on Schmelzer. From the free-kick, Dortmund move forward and Lewandowski, with his back to goal inside the area, turns only to fire over the crossbar.

47" Dortmund get a free-kick after Ramos is guilty of pushing at the second corner.

46" Real force a corner soon after the restart. Hummels heads it away from the set-piece to give Real another corner.

HALF TIME

45" Ronaldo's free-kick goes over the crossbar.

44" Bender is booked for tripping Ronaldo from behind around 35 yards from goal.

Two minutes of added time in the first half.

YELLOW Gundogan is cautioned close to the halfway line for a foul.

42" Dortmund seem to have got the measure of Real with Ozil and Higuain straying offside.

40" Higuain jinks through before chipping a cross to the near post but Weidenfeller virtually grabs the ball off the head of Ronaldo.

39" Real take a quick free-kick down the right to find some good movement from Ronaldo.

38" Di Maria flicks a pass forward to Higuain after some nice one-touch passing. But Higuain is flagged offside.

36" Dortmund are pressing forward with more conviction as Real seem to be dropping their shoulders.

35" Dortmund win a corner but cross is headed clear by Ronaldo with Modric completing the defending.

34" Dortmund have now got on top of Ozil and Modric.

32" Dortmund have begun to settle into the match stringing in nice one-touch passes in order to frustrate Real.

30" Real fans are quiet as Michael Essien's deep cross from the right runs out of play.

28" Bender clatters into Alonso in the Real penalty area but wins the ball first.

YELLOW Coentrao is booked for leaving his foot in on Lewandowski.

25" Lewandowski is being roughed up by Real as he holds his head from a collision with Ramos.

Real break forward but Di Maria's shot slams into Higuain from the edge of the box.

24" Superb header from Ramos to stop Lewandowski from meeting Schmelzer's left-wing cross.

20" Dortmund look a bundle of nervues but Real have not taken advantage though as Cristiano Ronaldo drags another close range shot wide.

18" Di Maria plays a clever reverse ball in the centre of midfield to set Real forward on another attack.

17" Real have virtually camped on Dortmund half but are spurning a host of chances.

SUBSTITUTION Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze being replaced by Kevin Grosskreutz because of an injury.

15" Ozil breaks through but drags his left-foot effort wide of the near post.

13" Chances at both ends as first Lewandowski and Ronaldo miss from close range.

11" Free-kick to Real wide on the right after Schmelzer floors Higuain who heads the cross from Ozil wide at the near post.

10" Real peg back Dortmund inside their own penalty area from another corner. Ronaldo cuts in from the right and shoots over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

8" Real on the offensive and earn another corner which Modric sends sailing over.

6" Real have made a fast start stepping up the tempo in an attempt to put Dortmund under pressure.

5" Real create the first chance of the game as Higuain finds himself through on Weidenfeller who saves the shot with his feet to deflect it out for a corner.

2" Ozil takes the corner which is cleared which goes over the head of Varane before Di Maria smacks the  follow-up effort high over the crossbar.

1" KICK-OFF Dortmund kick-off and make an early foray while Real launch a counter attack forcing the first corner.

Ramos and Weidenfeller lead out Real and Dortmund to thunderous applause at the Bernabeu.

Will it be Real or Dortmund who will make it to Wembley for the final?

Santiago Bernabeu is ready for tonight's decider between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Mourinho believes nothing is impossible and is banking on Ronaldo to produce something special.

Will Real be able to keep Lewandowski quiet tonight after his stunning four goals in the first leg?

Dortmund will have to keep an eye on Ronaldo who is the top scorer in this season's Champions League with 12 goals.

PLAYING XI

Real Madrid: Diego López, Essien, Ramos, Varane, Coentrao, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Di María, Özil, Ronaldo, Higuaín

SUBS: Casillas, Pepe, Albiol, Khedira, Kaká, Benzema, Morata.

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Subotić, Hummels, Piszczek, Schmelzer, Bender, Gündoğan, Götze, Reus, Błaszczykowski, Lewandowski.

SUBS: Langerak, Felipe Santana, Kehl, Leitner, Sahin, Grosskreutz Schieber

Real Madrid will be looking to repeat history as they bid to overturn a 4-1 deficit against Borussia Dortmund at Bernabeu  and book their place in the Champions League final.

It has been achieved once in Champions League history - when Deportivo beat AC Milan 5-4 on aggregate in 2004

The Spanish club will also be bolstered by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo who skipped their derby win at Atletico Madrid with a thigh injury.

STAT ATTACK

Real Madrid have overturned a first-leg away defeat 22 times, failing on a further 14 occasions including the last three.

Four of Dortmund's five away games in the Champions League this season have ended in a draw.

Real Madrid have lost just one of 17 European home outings during José Mourinho's three campaigns in charge.

Real Madrid have overturned a 3-goal deficit three times before.

Last time was in the 1985/86 UEFA Cup vs Borussia M'gladbach (5-1, 4-0).

Dortmund can reach the final of a European cup for the first time since 2001/02, when they lost the UEFA Cup final against Feyenoord.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 14 of Real Madrid's last 16 games in the Champions League (including qualifiers).   

Borussia Dortmund are undefeated in their last 11 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).   

Real Madrid have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Borussia Dortmund in all competitions.   

Borussia Dortmund have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Real Madrid in all competitions. 

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Real Madrid 4-2-3-1

Borussia Dortmund 4-2-3-1

BOLD FACTS

Real Madrid know that they need at least 3 goals to reach the final.

Only one team have ever overturned a 4-1 first leg deficit in the Champions League knockout stages (Deportivo against AC Milan).

TEAMS NEWS

Real Madrid

Alvaro Arbeloa is now injured, having missed the first leg through suspension, meaning Essien could deputise at right-back.

A booking for either Sergio Ramos or Michael Essien would see them miss the final if Real Madrid were to overturn the result from last week.

Borussia Dortmund

Lukasz Piszczek missed the game against Dusseldorf at the weekend with a groin problem but should be fit to take his place in the back line.

Kevin Grosskreutz is the only Dortmund player in danger of missing the final through suspension with a booking.

BUILD UP

Even with a fit Ronaldo, Real face a stiff task against the Bundesliga side if they are to keep alive their bid for the 10th European crown that has eluded them since 2002.

"If we play like we did in Dortmund then it's difficult to see us doing it," said Real manager Jose Mourinho. "But if we play the same way we have played in many games and we have the spirit to win a great game, we will do it.

"We are an excellent team and we have excellent players. We are going to play to try and go through. We have to go for it right until the end of the game. Football is football and everything is possible."

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says he is certain his side will not freeze when asked whether his team would buckle under the pressure in Spain.

Klopp said: "No, I'm sure we won't.

"We played Bayern Munich in the German Cup final last year... and my team was pretty cool (winning 5-2)."

He added: "The only way to reach your dream is to be brave."

Dortmund rested their star players at the weekend in their 2-1 win at Fortuna Dusseldorf, with Robert Lewandowski, who scored all four goals in the win over Real Madrid, coming on as a late substitute.

Mourinho added that he has a full squad to choose from, apart from injured fullbacks Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo.

"We could play with certain people that we do not normally play with and with an unusual system. So I will not say anything. Cristiano Ronaldo is fine. Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo are injured and the rest are available."

Klopp concedes the tie is not over yet.

"Real Madrid believe they can come back against us," he said.

"And, if they believe so, they will act accordingly. We are ready for Real Madrid to try everything they can and we do not feel that we are already in the final.

"We feel the first-leg result was much better than expected. We know we will have to fight tomorrow with our best strengths. We know we are not a normal semi-finalist and will behave accordingly."

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