Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal (3-2 on agg): Joshua Kimmich's header sends Bavarians into Champions League semis
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Updated 18/04/2024 at 09:20 GMT+1
Joshua Kimmich scored a second-half header to send Bayern Munich into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Arsenal on Wednesday night. It has been a dismal few days for the Gunners after they slipped up in the Premier League title race and they've now been knocked out of the Champions League. Bayern will face Manchester City or Real Madrid in the last four of the competition.
Highlights: Kimmich header ends Arsenal's UEFA Champions League bid
Joshua Kimmich powered home a second-half winner as Bayern Munich booked their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a merited 3-2 quarter-final aggregate win over Arsenal.
Thomas Tuchel's side were worthy 1-0 winners on the night after securing a 2-2 draw at the Emirates in the first leg last week against a visiting side whose key loss of form continued after their perplexing 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
After Leon Goretzka hit the bar with a header and Raphael Guerreiro struck the post early in the second half, it was Bayern who sealed the victory on the night on 63 minutes when full-back Kimmich threw himself at Guerreiro's cross to book their spot in the last four.
Arsenal did not really threaten an equaliser at a bouncing Allianz Arena and must turn their focus to the Premier League and ending their 20-year wait to claim English football's biggest prize.
Bayern have watched runaway German champions Bayer Leverkusen claim the Bundesliga title, but remain well in the hunt for a seventh European Cup triumph as they prepare for a semi-final against holders Manchester City or Real Madrid.
Talking Point: Time for Arsenal to do talking on the pitch
Mikel Arteta's men have encountered two hefty blows inside the space of four days, but despite failing to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2009, they cannot afford to dwell for too long on what might have been in Munich.
The priority at the start of the season was always the Premier League, and they must quickly bury this match when they visit Wolves on Saturday trailing leaders Manchester City by only two points.
Returning to the UEFA Champions League as English champions next season remains well within their grasp.
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Kimmich breaks Arsenal hearts with superb winning header
Player of the Match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Typified the togetherness of Bayern Munich's squad with an assured display in defence and attack before sinking the visitors with a marvellous diving header midway through the second period to book his side a spot in the last four for the first time since 2020.
Player Ratings
Bayern Munich: Neuer 7, Kimmich 8, De Ligt 7, Dier 8, Mazraoui 7, Laimer 7, Goretzka 7, Sane 8, Musiala 7, Guerreiro 8, Kane 7 Subs: Upamecano 6, Minjae 6
Arsenal: Raya 6, White 6, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Tomiyasu 6, Jorginho 6, Rice 6, Odegaard 6, Saka 6, Havertz 6, Martinelli 6 Subs: Trossard 6, Nketiah 6, Jesus 6
Match Highlights
4' BAYERN FIRST TO THREATEN Excellent play by Sane to stand up Gabriel. Kimmich then picks out Kane with a delicate cross, but Kane just knocks the volley wide coming across his marker. Early warning for Arsenal. As if they needed it.
32' GOLDEN CHANCE FOR MARTINELLI! Best opportunity of the night so far is presented to Martinelli from the Odegaard pass, but he ends up knocking the finish tamely into the arms of Neuer from 12 yards out. Was a free hit. That is frustrating.
48' BAYERN SO CLOSE TO THE OPENER Goretzka sees a header come back of the bar from the Kimmich cross before the Guerreiro finish on the rebound hits Saliba then a post to spin wide. How close is that to the first goal? Arsenal survive.
63' GOAL! (KIMMICH) BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 ARSENAL Kimmich with the powerful diving header from close range after Raya had palmed out the Sane cross. Guerreiro with a superb ball. Brilliant finish. And that is a 1-0 lead on the night for Bayern Munich. 3-2 on aggregate.
80' SALIBA WITH A VITAL INTERCEPTION Raphaël Guerreiro tries to pick out Kane on the run, but Saliba intervenes in the nick of time to secure vital possession. Arsenal pressing for the equaliser.
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