Madrid, Munich move into Champions League semis

MUNICH, Germany (AP):

Bayern Munich could yet crown a disappointing season with the Champions League title, as Arsenal face the prospect of ending a promising season with no trophy. At the same time, Real Madrid weathered the storm, silenced the crowd and ultimately ended Manchester City's brief hold.

Joshua Kimmich's header powered Bayern to a 1-0 win over Arsenal yesterday to reach the Champions League semi-finals with a 3-2 victory on aggregate, as the all-time kings of Europe Madrid, moved a step closer to a record-extending 15th title in the competition after a 4-3-win at Etihad Stadium.

Kimmich, with the score at 2-2 from the first leg in London, headed home off Raphael Guerreiro's pinpoint cross to put Bayern ahead in the 63rd minute as Bayern largely neutralised Arsenal's attack.

Arsenal's players were "gutted," manager Mikel Arteta told broadcaster TNT Sports. "I cannot find the right words to lift them."

Bayern kept alive their hopes of finishing the season with a trophy three days after Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern's 11-year reign as German champions. Striker Harry Kane - who spoke Tuesday of being motivated by his release from Arsenal as a youth player - takes a step closer to the first trophy of his career.

Coach Thomas Tuchel said it meant "really a lot" to beat Arsenal. "The semi-finals are an important step, the last four, that was fun," he told broadcaster DAZN.

Meanwhile, in Manchester, for Pep Guardiola it is back to the drawing board after watching City dominate Madrid, only to relinquish the trophy they won for the first time last year.

"In this competition, that's how football happens," the City manager said. "In other sports, for (these) statistics, we would have won."

The game had gone to the uncertainty of a shootout after ending 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

City dominated the chances after going behind to Rodrygo's opening goal in the 12th minute but only had Kevin de Bruyne's leveller in the 76th to show for their superiority, which included 64 per cent of possession and 18 corners to Madrid's one through extra time.

That counted for little as Antonio Rudiger struck the decisive spot kick after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both saw their penalties saved.