Bayern Munich Reach Their Fifth Consecutive Champions League S/F

Bayern Munich drew 2-2 at Benfica to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the fifth consecutive season.

Bayern’s Thomas Mueller in action during the Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Bayern Munich and Benfica. (Photo: AP)

Bayern Munich drew 2-2 at Benfica on Wednesday to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the fifth consecutive season with a 3-2 aggregate victory and remain on track for a treble of titles.

Arturo Vidal’s 38th-minute goal cancelled out the hosts’ early lead through Raul Jimenez’s header.

Bayern added another goal through Thomas Mueller’s volley from a Javi Martinez header in the 53rd minute to knock out the Portuguese side who managed a late equaliser through Talisca.

Former European champions Benfica were vying for their first semi-final appearance in more than a quarter of a century but suffered their fourth elimination in their fourth European tie against Bayern.

“It was a sensational atmosphere but it was hard work,” said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, who played his 103rd Champions League game to become joint leader in Germany along with former Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn.

We had to be more precise than in the first game, close the spaces between midfield and defence and we did it better tonight. We remained calm after the goal and worked hard.

Philipp Lahm, Captain, Bayern Munich

Benfica, were missing their top strikers Jonas, Gaitan and Kostas Mitroglou through suspension or injury. They were on the back foot as expected with the Germans controlling 70 percent of possession.