Real Madrid welcomed Juventus to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Juventus entered match as the slight favourites to advance following a 2-1 victory in the first leg last Tuesday.
Real Madrid levelled the tie on aggregate in the 23rd minute in Madrid when Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot.
It was advantage Juve just before the hour, however, when Alvaro Morata fired home from inside the box.
Real Madrid pressed for a second late on, but could not respond as Juve made their first Champions League final since 2003.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Madrid as Real Madrid welcome Juventus for the second leg of their semi-final. Juve currently lead the tie 2-1 on aggregate, but it is still very delicately poised in the Spanish capital. Let's hope for a real cracker tonight!
Just a reminder that kickoff is not until 7.45pm UK time, but be sure to remain with us for all the very best build-up. The team news is expected to land in around 20 minutes time and both managers are due to make last-minute decisions on players. Ahem, Paul Pogba, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema.
Just a reminder that the winner of tonight's semi-final will face Barcelona in the final in Berlin on June 6. Barca lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final last night, but advanced 5-3 on aggregate. Clasico final anyone? Juventus will have something to say about that though!
Let us cast our mind back to last week in Turin, where Juventus recorded a narrow 2-1 victory in the first leg. Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez were both on the scoresheet for the home side, but an away goal from Cristiano Ronaldo has handed Real Madrid a real chance despite the defeat. On balance, a 2-1 home win was just about a fair reflection of the events in Italy, but tonight will be a different game.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Karim Benzema returns to the Real Madrid XI here following a month on the sidelines with a knee problem, while Toni Kroos also starts despite going off injured against Valencia at the weekend. Pepe is dropped, meanwhile, leaving Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane at the back.
We are still waiting on the confirmed team news for Juventus, but it is widely thought that Paul Pogba will come back into the XI. Real Madrid are again very quick off the mark confirming their team!
Pogba does indeed start for Juve tonight. Full teams to follow...
TEAMS:
REAL: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Isco, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
JUVE: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pirlo, Pogba, Marchisio, Vidal; Morata, Tevez
So there we have it. Starting with the home side, as mentioned, Benzema returns from a knee problem to lead the line with support from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Kroos is also fit to start in the middle of the park, while it is Varane and Ramos at centre-back, with Pepe only on the bench.
As for Juventus, Pogba does indeed return to their XI. The French midfielder had been on the sidelines since March 18 with a thigh problem, but made a scoring return against Cagliari at the weekend. Pogba for Stefano Sturaro is the only change from the first leg, with Alvaro Morata returning to the Bernabeu for the first time since leaving last summer. It will again be a midfield diamond for the visitors.
Between them, Juventus and Real Madrid have appeared in 20 European Cup finals, but there is just no comparing the two teams in terms of European trophies. Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup last season, but Juve have only twice before won this competition (1985 and 1996). The last time that the Italian side made the final was in 2003, when they lost out to rivals AC Milan on penalties.
In total, the two teams have met 17 times in the European Cup, with both teams recording eight wins and the further match ending with a share of the spoils. That draw occurred in the group stages of last season's competition in Turin. Real Madrid, however, won the reverse match 2-1 in this stadium.
Let's get some reaction on the team news from our staff reporter Barney Corkhill...
"There were question marks for both sides regarding injuries coming into this game, but Benzema, Kroos and Pogba all start. Both are pretty much at full strength and it should be another fascinating tussle between the two sides. You'd have to think that Madrid's front three will cause Juve more problems tonight that the two up top did in the first leg, but that star-studded Juventus midfield has the ability to keep the ball and limit the service to Ronaldo and co. If Tevez has as good a game as he had last week as well then Juve will be in good shape to complete the job tonight."
This is Juventus' 11th appearance in the semi-finals of the European Cup – winning seven and losing three. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are in the semi-finals for the 26th time in their history. Of the previous 25 occasions, they have progressed to the final 13 times - the last of which occurred last season, when they beat Bayern Munich before overcoming big rivals Atletico Madrid in the final.
That said, Real Madrid have actually been eliminated in their last three European Cup semi-finals against Italian sides. Juventus beat them in 2003, Torino in 1992 and AC Milan in 1989. Los Blancos' home record against Italian teams is strong, however, recording 21 wins from 29 games and losing just twice.
Home advantage has proved key in the past meetings between the two sides, with Real Madrid winning five of their seven games against Juventus in the Spanish capital. These two teams also met in the semi-finals of the 2002-03 Champions League, with Juventus winning 4-3 on aggregate. However, again, they were beaten 2-1 in Madrid – a score that would produce extra-time on this occasion.
It has not been a good week for Real Madrid, with defeat in the first leg last week followed by a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia in La Liga on Saturday. Failure to beat Los Che has left Carlo Ancelotti's side four points behind the league leaders Barcelona with just two games remaining. However, when those two fixtures actually take place is still very much a mystery due to the current strike in Spain.
As a result, the Champions League seems to be Real Madrid's only real chance of landing a major trophy this season and they are attempting to become the first team in the modern era to successfully defend this competition. As it transpires, elimination this evening might well cost Carlo Ancelotti his position.
Real Madrid have triumphed in 22 of the 36 European ties where they lost the first leg away from home, but they have lost the last four two-legged fixtures in that exact situation. When they have been beaten 2-1 in the first leg away from home, meanwhile, they have won five times and lost three.
Real Madrid were beaten 4-3 at home by Schalke 04 in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash last month, but they have won 19 of their last 22 European games on home soil. That run includes a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, which saw them advance to this stage of the competition by the very narrowest of margins.
Los Blancos absolutely breezed through the group stages this season – winning all six of their Group B fixtures to top the section on 18 points. They only stumbled past Schalke and Atletico, however, which will be a concern for Ancelotti at this stage. That said, their task this evening is definitely achievable.
Juventus, meanwhile, clinched their fourth successive Italian title with four games to spare on May 2. However, success in Europe's premier competition has been hard to find in recent seasons. In fact, the last time that the Old Lady reached this stage of the Champions League was in the 2002-03 season, when they eventually lost on penalties to great rivals AC Milan at Old Trafford in the final.
Juventus have also won 33 of their 41 European ties where they won the home first leg – including all four when the score was 2-1. That said, Juve's record in Spain is not too strong – winning on just three of their 21 trips and losing 14 times in the process. Just a reminder that 2-1 Real Madrid after 90 minutes is the only score that would bring extra-time and possibly beyond this evening.
In terms of their progression to this stage of the competition, Juve finished second in Group A behind last season's runners-up Atletico Madrid. It was far from comfortable for the Italian side, however, who finished just one point ahead of third-place Olympiacos. As expected, Juve were strong at home in the group stages, but they did lose to both Atletico and Greek outfit Olympiacos on their travels.
Borussia Dortmund were waiting in the round of 16 and Juventus won the home leg 2-1, before recording an impressive 3-0 victory in Germany to advance. In truth, French side Monaco, who overcame Arsenal in the previous round, were the team that they would have wanted to draw in the quarter-finals, but it was very tight in the two-legged affair, with just one Juve goal proving the difference.
In 2010, Juventus were beaten 4-1 at Fulham in the last-16 stage of the Europa League. Now, Fulham are struggling in the English Championship, while Juve are on the cusp of a Champions League final. A record of just two European Cups is a touch disappointing for a club of Juve's size and standing in the European game, but they have the chance to achieve something really special this season.
Incredibly, Juventus actually have a better defensive record on their travels this season – conceding just 12 times in their 24 games in all competitions, which is quite stunning. They have lost to both Parma and Torino on their travels in the last month, however, and only drew 1-1 with Cagliari at the weekend.
It is prediction time in Madrid. First, here are Barney Corkhill's thoughts on the game...
‪"This match is so nicely poised going into the second leg. Juventus surprised me with the quality of their performance in Turin, but the big question now is whether they can repeat the feat at the Bernabeu. Madrid only need to win 1-0 to progress, and it is hard to see Juve keeping them at bay in front of their own fans. The prospect of meeting Barcelona in the final is sure to spur the hosts on too, so I can see them getting the job done tonight. I'm going for a 3-1 victory for Madrid, although we may have to be patient for most of the action to come."‬
PREDICTION! I can see this one going all the way to penalties. I think that Juventus will score, but Real Madrid should also find the back of the net. The first goal is obviously absolutely vital, but whatever happens, I can see 2-1 Real Madrid after 120 minutes, with the hosts winning on penalties.
Here we go then. Both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff, which is little under five minutes away. It is an enormous game and the supporters in the stadium are right up for this one!
Little under 75,000 inside the Bernabeu tonight, but it sounds like double that. Barcelona are waiting in the final of the competition and Juventus will want to stop an all-Spanish occasion in Berlin.
It is still very warm in Madrid, even with local time approaching 9pm. It is a special occasion in the Spanish capital once again. The home side get the first 45 minutes of this second leg underway.
CHANCE! Opportunity inside one minute for the home side as Marcelo delivers a cross onto the head of Bale, but the Welshman's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Almost an opener!
As expected, the home team have started on the front foot, with both full-backs already seeing possession of the ball. Juventus will sit deep and attempt to absorb the danger in the early minutes.
Good football from Juventus as Tevez picks up possession outside the Real Madrid box before attempting to slide a pass into Pogba, but Carvajal is across to make a vital challenge.
It has been a fairly even last couple of minutes, with Juve already showing their threat in the final third. Real Madrid do not need to go chasing early on. A reminder that 1-0 would be enough for Real.
CHANCE! Benzema does brilliant to turn inside the Juve box before firing towards goal, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Excellent chance, but not close in the end.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as both teams battle for possession of the ball. Juve are threatening in wide areas, which will concern Real Madrid at this stage of events.
Possession football from Juve, which is bringing whistles from the home supporters here...
... Bonucci brings Ronaldo to the ground just outside the penalty box. Chance for Real here.
CLOSE! Ronaldo takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is just over the crossbar.
It has been a decent start for Juventus, but the three chances thus far have all fallen for the home side. The incredible atmosphere is still in full flow as the supporters make their voices heard in Madrid.
SAVE! Opportunity for the away side as Vidal finds some space outside the Real Madrid box, but his low effort is saved by Casillas. First piece of work for the Real Madrid goalkeeper tonight.
It is end-to-end at the moment, with both teams committing numbers in the final third. However, Real Madrid's latest attack comes to a close when Marcelo fires a powerful pass into James's path.
Benzema has had the best chance of the game thus far, but the Frenchman could only fire over the crossbar in the early moments. Real Madrid have another half-chance as Isco shows his dancing feet on the edge of the box before lifting one towards the far corner, but his effort was always too high.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid as Benzema beats the offside trap before driving into the Juve box, but his cross towards Ronaldo is disappointing and the visitors scramble clear!
SAVE! Buffon is forced into action for the away side as the Italian flies across his goal to deal with a wonderful strike from Bale. Real Madrid are very much on the front foot at the moment here.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
Real Madrid are awarded a penalty as Chiellini is judged to have brought James to the ground inside the box. The Italian did kick the back of the Colombian's leg! Ronaldo to take for the home side...
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus (Ronaldo, pen)
Ronaldo missed from the spot at the weekend, but the attacker has no such trouble here as he fires straight down the middle, with Buffon diving out of the way. Massive, massive goal for Ronaldo.
As it stands, Real Madrid are heading into the final on away goals. As it stands!
Stoppage in play here following a nasty clash of heads between Bale and Evra. Looks a bad one...
... Bale and Evra are both shaken up, but both return to their feet and will continue.
Half-chance for the away side as Morata finds space in a wide area before driving a low cross towards Vidal, but Carvajal is across to clear at the vital moment. Juve looking for a quick response here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score a second on the counter as Benzema finds Ronaldo inside the box, but after turning his defender, the attacker's cross is headed clear!
Ramos tries the spectacular from a corner, but his over-head kick is deflected wide.
SAVE! Buffon flies across his goal to save an angled header from Benzema.
BOOKING! Isco (Real Madrid) picks up a booking after bringing Tevez to the ground.
It has been a decent last couple of minutes for the away side, but another cross from the left fails to find a blue shirt. Just a reminder that, as it stands in Madrid, Real Madrid are going through to the final.
Evra has not been afraid to break forward in the first period, while Pogba is causing problems with his presence in the final third. It must be said that the opening 36 minutes have just flown past here!
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Juve are having a good spell in possession of the ball. They will become a point where the visitors need to press forward.
Half-chance for the home side as Benzema finds a pocket of space outside the box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in Madrid.
CLOSE! Ronaldo comes close to scoring a second after collecting a wonderful through pass from Bale, but the attacker's effort smashes into the side netting. It has livened up again!
SAVE! Buffon is forced into action to turn a low Benzema effort wide of the post!
Ramos heads over from a corner - bringing to an end Real Madrid's spell of pressure.
Juventus are not best pleased with the referee as Kroos is awarded a really soft free kick in the middle of the park. In truth, Real Madrid do deserve to be ahead at this stage of the second leg in Spain.
BOOKING! James (Real Madrid) is booked for diving inside the box.
Just the one minute of added time at the end of the first period here.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 on the night courtesy of a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo. The aggregate score is 2-2, but as it stands, Real Madrid would advance to the final on away goals. In truth, the hosts have been the better team in Madrid. Juve have had their moments, but have just not been able to find that final pass thus far.
STATS! Juventus have actually just shaded the possession with 52%, but the visitors have only managed three attempts - just one of which has been on target. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have hit the target with four of their 13 attempts. There have also been two yellow cards - Isco and James for the hosts.
"Advantage Madrid at the break, then, and there is no doubting they deserve it. They were on top for the vast majority of that opening 45 minutes and look dangerous every time they come forward. They could have easily been more than one goal to the good at the halfway stage, and they are only going to get more space as Juve need to attack in the second half. The Italian champions are still in this one, but they need to improve in the second half."
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a couple of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez both capable of making a difference. Juventus, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Fernando Llorente, Sturaro, Kingsley Coman and Roberto Pereyra.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Real Madrid are heading for the final. Juventus, who get the half underway, have work to do here.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, you can be sure that alterations will be made as the second period develops. It is still very warm in Madrid!
It has been a good start to the second period from the home side, with Marcelo already breaking forward and delivering a cross towards Ronaldo. There is such a fast pace to this game tonight.
It has been a disappointing night for Pogba thus far, with the Juve midfielder again delivering a long cross behind for a goal kick. Not too many chances to report in the early stages of this second half.
CLOSE! Marchisio arrows a low attempt just wide of Casillas's post.
Decent spell for the home side in the last couple of minutes and Marcelo comes close with a low attempt from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 1-0 on the night.
Juventus are still more than in this game at the moment. As it stands, one goal would take them into the next round. Vidal pokes a low pass towards Morata following a poor piece of defending from the home side, but the Spaniard was standing in an offside position. It is so delicately poised at the moment.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges. Real Madrid will not want to concede too many set pieces here!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Juventus (Morata)
Goal Juve! The away side are on level terms on the night as Morata fires home from close range following a clever header from Pogba. The striker smashed his effort into the ground and Casillas could only palm into the back of his own net. As it stands, the Italians are going through to the final!
Morata did not celebrate against his former club, but the Juve supporters certainly are! Real Madrid need a goal with little over 30 minutes remaining. What a match this has now become in the capital!
"Incredible. It just had to be Morata, didn't it? The former Madrid man stung the Spaniards in the first leg and he has done it again here too. The onus is now back on the home side, with Juventus simply needing to avoid conceding again to book their place in the final. That is easier said than done against this Real Madrid side, but those missed chances in the first half are looking even more important now. We are in for a cracking final 30 minutes here."
There is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. Real Madrid need their supporters to stay with them as the second period develops, but that is easier said than done.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bale to find the back of the net as Marcelo sets up the Welshman inside the box, but somehow he fires wide of the post. What an opportunity for the attacker!
Morata has had a very good last 10 minutes for the away side and he buys his team another free kick when Varane gets too close. Time is very much of the essence and Real Madrid need a goal here.
Half-chance for the away side as Marchisio delivers a dangerous low cross towards the far post, but Morata cannot make contact and the chance is gone. A second Juve goal would be massive!
SUB! Real Madrid make their first change as Hernandez replaces Benzema.
CLOSE! James sees his powerful strike just swerve over the crossbar!
There is still plenty of time for the home side to find a second, but you can really sense the nerves in the stands and it is transmitting to the players. Juve are perfectly set up to defend in the Spanish capital.
SAVE! Wonderful chance for Juve to score a second as Marchisio bends one towards the bottom corner, but Casillas is on hand to make a wonderful save. That was the tie right there!
BOOKING! Tevez (Juve) is booked for fouling Hernandez.
CLOSE! Bale hammers one wide of the post as Real Madrid go close again!
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Bale as Ronaldo sets up the Welshman at the far post, but he heads over the crossbar! It just is not happening for Bale tonight, or at the moment!
Real Madrid are really pressing at the moment, but Juve are holding on and getting some luck with it. Still no movement on the away side's bench, which is a surprise at this stage of proceedings.
Another half-chance for the home side as Bale meets a corner from Kroos, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Little under 15 minutes for Real Madrid to find a goal in this game.
"The ball just will not go in for Bale at the moment. He has had the chances to be the hero today, but instead looks like being the villain once again. That latest header was an absolute sitter and he simply had to score it. There is still time for him to redeem himself, but failure to do so is bound to bring more stick from the Madrid fans."
BOOKING! Lichtsteiner (Juve) is booked for time-wasting.
Bale's night thus far...
Real Madrid are very much on the front foot at the moment, but the ball just will not go in as Ronaldo has another cross cleared. Juventus are preparing to make their first change of the game here.
SUB! Juve introduce Barzagli in place of Pirlo.
It is very much backs-against-the-wall for Juventus at the moment as the home side continue to work the ball into the box, but the Italians are the masters at defending what they have. Still 1-1.
Kroos places one into the arms of Buffon as the crowd whistle once again.
Not too much going forward from the away side at the moment, which is not much of a surprise. Both managers have two permitted changes remaining, but I am unsure whether we will see them.
Bale again tries his luck for the home side, but another low effort whistles wide of the post.
SUB! Juve make their second change as Llorente replaces Morata.
Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third, but another cross from Bale is cleared. You just get the feeling that there will be at least one more big chance in the final five minutes here.
Pogba has been poor in possession tonight, but he does brilliantly to gain a free kick for the away side deep in the Real Madrid half. More frustration for the hosts at this stage of the second leg.
Juventus are closing in on their first Champions League final since 2003...
... CHANCE! Pogba has a shooting chance inside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is straight at Casillas. Not sure about the defending from Real Madrid there - what an opportunity!
SUB! Juve make their third change as Pereyra replaces Pogba.
We are into the final minute of normal time and Real Madrid are heading out as it stands.
FOUR ADDED MINUTES! FOUR!
There are some tired legs out there at the moment and Juventus are dealing with the threat from Real Madrid. Ronaldo plays inside to James, but his cross out wide gives Isco far too much to do.
Real Madrid continue to deliver into the Juve box, but it just will not fall for a white shirt here.
Llorente clears his lines for Juve, who have all 10 outfield players behind the ball!
Foul throw from Casillas! Wow!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Juventus (Juve win 3-2 on aggregate)
JUVENTUS MAKE THE 2015 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL!
Incredible, just incredible. Juventus draw 1-1 at the Bernabeu and advance to the final 3-2 on aggregate. The Italian side will face Barcelona in the final of the competition on June 6 in Berlin!
What a night in Madrid. Joy for the away side, but utter despair for Real Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around for all the reaction. Until next time!
