Bayern Munich Advances To Champions League Quarterfinals

Bayern Munich advanced to the last eight of the Champions League despite a 2-0 setback at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

The Bundesliga side came into the encounter holding a 3-0 aggregate advantage thanks to the big win in North London in the first leg.

If the Germans thought it was going to be a walk in the park, then they were badly mistaken, as the Gunners silenced the Bayern faithful with an early goal.

Santi Cazorla played a sensational pass to Tomas Rosicky, who in turn found Theo Walcott in stride. The Englishman then sent in a low cross that Olivier Giroud directed into the roof of the net in the third minute.

It was a dream start for the Premier League club, who would have had an early goal high on its priority list heading into the clash.

Bayern kept its composure despite the early setback and had the lion’s share of possession for most of the first half but could not create any clear-cut opportunities.

The second half started much in the same vein as the first 45 minutes with the hosts bossing possession but could not find the decisive pass to open up the Arsenal defence.

It did not matter too much, though, as Bayern still held a 3-1 aggregate advantage and the Germans would be safe as long as they could keep the ball away from Arsenal.

Arjen Robben had a sensational chance to put the tie to bed when he raced in all alone in the 67th minute, but Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski pushed his shot around the post.

Laurent Koscielny then set up a grandstand finish when his header beat Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer with four minutes left to play.

It was now 3-3 on aggregate, but Arsenal needed one more goal if they were to go through.

The Bundesliga outfit hung on for the last few minutes and advanced to the quarterfinals of Europe’s most prestigious club competition on away goals.