Bayern reach fifth straight ECL semi-final

Apr 13, 2016 - 10:41 PM Bayern Munich are through to the last four of the Champions League for the fifth consecutive season, a 2-2 second leg draw at Benfica securing a 3-2 victory on aggregate.

Arturo Vidal's 38th-minute goal cancelled out the hosts' early lead through Raul Jimenez's header, before Bayern added another goal through Thomas Mueller's volley early in the second half.

It left Benfica needing two goals to get back into the tie, Talisca's late equaliser not enough to secure the Portuguese side their first semi-final appearance in more than a quarter of a century.

Instead, they suffered their fourth elimination in their fourth European tie against Bayern.

Benfica, missing top strikers Jonas, Gaitan and Kostas Mitroglou, took a surprise lead when Raul Jimenez charged past two defenders to score with a flying header.

Briefly rattled, Bayern recovered quickly when Vidal, who scored the winner in the first leg, drilled in the equaliser after perfectly timing his shot from keeper Ederson's clearance.

Coach Pep Guardiola had surprisingly kept key striker Robert Lewandowski on the bench, but Mueller took over his role with aplomb, slipping in like a natural centre forward to volley in for the lead.

Bayern, chasing a record fourth straight Bundesliga crown as well as the German Cup, were lucky not to have Martinez sent off for a last-man foul - Benfica coach Rui Vitoria sent to the stands over the referee's decision to book the Spaniard.

Source: AAP