Real Madrid are through to their 18th Champions League final after a dramatic win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night and the club's fans are now looking forward to another prestigious night. Real Madrid fans have been to five of the last ten Champions League finals but based on the celebrations last night, the novelty is yet to wear off.
The Santiago Bernabeu was rocking throughout the second leg of the semi-final and it erupted late on when substitute, Joselu, scored two goals in three minutes to turn the match on its head. The late drama was reminiscent of two seasons ago when Rodrygo netted twice against Man City in the dying minutes of the semi-finals to send Los Blancos through to the final in Paris.
Despite a late scare, Real Madrid hung on for the win and the celebration began on the pitch. The players stayed out on the famous Bernabeu turf for some time after the game to celebrate the achievement while the party continued long into the night for Real Madrid fans.
Antonio Rudiger parties with Real Madrid fans
The party in Madrid went on so late that some of the players struggled to get out of the area around the Bernabeu when trying to get home. In a video shared on social media, Antonio Rudiger is seen mobbed by Real Madrid fans while inside his car near the stadium.
Instead of trying to get the fans to move, Rudiger joined in with the celebrations and started beeping his horn and dancing in the driver's seat as more fans gathered. Eventually, he was able to get on his way, but the German probably continued his own celebrations back home after playing a key role in the victory.
La locura, el madridismo. Los aficionados esperaron a Rüdiger a la salida de la semifinal contra el Bayern… ¡y el central se pone a bailar con ellos! #RealMadrid #UCL #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/evXudY9TZa
— MARCA (@marca) May 9, 2024
It was his cross in the 90th minute that found Joselu in the centre of the six-yard area for a tap in to put Madrid ahead. It was an unlikely combination, but one that sums up how strong and deep the Real Madrid squad is, as Thierry Henry alluded to on CBS Sports. The Frenchman said:
“If I told you Real Madrid would win with an assist by Rudiger and a tap-in by Joselu, you would have said no chance. Well that is Real Madrid, this is what they do.”