Samuel Chukwueze Breaks Bayern Munich Hearts, Scores Late to Send Villareal to UEFA Champions League Final 4

Samuel Chukwueze Breaks Bayern Munich Hearts, Scores Late to Send Villareal to UEFA Champions League Final 4

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM
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  • Bayern Munich were relentless in the first half of the game as they pushed forward to grab a much-needed goal
  • Villareal were resilient in defence but Bayern Munich eventually broke through thanks to Robert Lewandowski
  • Villareal will now meet the winner of the Benfica and Liverpool game in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League

The first half of the game could be best described in two words; resilient and relentless.

Bayern Munich were relentless as they sought an equaliser in the tie. The German team spent most of the first 45 minutes in the Villareal half, notching up 64% possession. Bayern also had eight shots, but only one on target during the first half.

Samuel Chukwueze, Bayern Munich, Villareal, Sport, Soccer, Win, UEFA, Champions League, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Liverpool, Benfica
Samuel Chukwueze scored a crucial late goal as Villareal beat Bayern Munich to progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Image: @reformacancha
Source: Twitter

Villareal were resilient as every player got behind the ball whenever they could. The Yellow Submarine’s defence was impenetrable, frustrating the German side constantly. Villareal players also killed as much time as they could during the half, staying down longer than normal, or taking their time over set-pieces. Boos rang out from the stadiums often whenever this happened, as Bayern fans voiced their disapproval.

The second half was much like the first as Bayern pushed forward. They were eventually rewarded for their efforts when their talisman striker, Robert Lewandowski, got onto the scoresheet. Lewandowski has now scored 13 goals in 10 games in this season’s Champions League.

Spurred on by their fan base, Bayern continued to press forward in search of a winner. Villareal never seemed to settle in the game even after going a goal down. Thomas Muller had the best chance to put Bayern ahead but headed wide from close range in the 70th minute.

Arnaut Danjuma, Villareal’s hero of the first leg, had their best chance to win the tie in the second half but dragged his shot wide. With time ticking down and the game seemingly headed to extra time, Samuel Chukwueze broke Bayern hearts. The Nigerian player, who had just come on as a sub, scored a dramatic later goal to level the game at 1-1. The goal though gave Villareal a 2-1 advantage on aggregate, a lead they would hold until the end of the game.

UEFA Champions League: Bayern Munich look to overturn single goal deficit, Villareal are out to finish the job

Sports Brief earlier reported that Bayern Munich will have a tough task ahead of them as they welcome Villareal to the Allianz Arena in the UEFA Champions League.

The Yellow Submarines, Villareal, hold a slight one-goal advantage over the German side from the first leg, with the semi-finals insight.

Bayern were far from their best during the first game, while Villareal had numerous chances to put the game beyond doubt, but failed to do so. Bayern coach, Julian Nagelsmann, said he was hoping for more action from his team in the second leg.

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Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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