Real Madrid defeated Dortmund 2-0 in the second leg semi-final of the Champions League, but exited the competition 4-3 on aggregate.

Both teams were guilty of missing chances, but Real Madrid came out of the traps quicker than their German opponents did.

Striker Gonzalo Higuain had the first chance of the match on four minutes, firing at Diego Lopez’s legs when put through by Mesut Ozil.

Robert Lewandowski volleyed an effort straight at Diego Lopez in the Real goal, before Cristiano Ronaldo had a similar effort saved by the Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller.

Dortmund suffered a big blow on 14 minutes, with highly-rated young midfielder Mario Gotze limping off. Soon afterwards, Mesut Ozil dragged an effort wide when well placed. Dortmund gradually came back into the game and could have killed the tie off in the second half.

The hero of the first leg Robert Lewandowski had two superb chances to finish the tie off. First, the Polish striker fired over the bar, before smashing an effort against the underside of the crossbar. Diego Lopez kept Real in the tie with a fantastic one-handed save from Ilkay Gundogan.

With 20 minutes remaining an under par Cristiano Ronaldo toe-poked an effort over Weidenfeller’s crossbar and moments later Kaka put an effort wide when well placed. The home side did eventually make the breakthrough on 82 minutes; substitute Karim Benzema converting from close-range from a pass by Ozil.

The goal setup a frantic end to the game with Real throwing everything they had at the visitors. Real got their second goal with just two minutes left on the clock.

Sergio Ramos fired home from inside the penalty area from a Karim Benzema pass. The Real centre-back also fired wide late on, as Real pushed hard for an equaliser. The home side could not find the goal they needed to take them through, despite six minutes stoppage-time.

Dortmund could now face domestic rivals Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, with the Bavarians facing Barcelona in the second leg of their tie this evening with a commanding 4-0 lead.

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