Lewandowski hits four as Dortmund rout Real
Poland striker Robert Lewandowski netted all four goals as Borussia
Dortmund claimed a 4-1 win over Real Madrid in Wednesday's Champions
League semi-final, first-leg to boost the chances of an all-German final
at Wembley on May 25.
After Bayern Munich routed Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday night in the
first semi-final, Dortmund followed the Bundesliga champions's example
24 hours later by flooring Jose Mourinho's Real.
Dortmunds Polish striker Robert Lewandowski (C) scores 31
during the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg
football match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid on
April 24, 2013 in Dortmund, western Germany. AFP |
Just as Lionel Messi had failed to shine for a subdued Barcelona at
Bayern on his return from a hamstring injury, so Real star Cristiano
Ronaldo was fairly anonymous after scoring at Dortmund as Real produced
a below-par display.
Dortmund claimed their sixth straight European win at home this
season and their second over Real in emphatic style at Signal Iduna Park
having run out 2-1 victors in October's group stage win over Madrid.
All Dortmund's pre-match focus had been on 20-year-old midfield star
Mario Goetze after Tuesday's announcement he will join Bayern Munich
next season after actioning a release clause in his contract.
But the night belonged to Lewandowski who stole the limelight with
the opening goal, then added a second-half hat-trick to put Dortmund on
the verge of their second Champions League final having won the 1997
title.
The anticipated hostile reaction from the home fans towards Goetze
never materialised and the 20-year-old helped gift the hosts the perfect
start.
His floated cross from the left wing found Lewandowski unmarked at
the back post to stab the ball home with just eight minutes on the
clock. The goal spurred Real into life and Ronaldo forced Dortmund
goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller into a diving save on 24 minutes.
Referee Bjoern Kuipers won himself few fans in the Dortmund faithful
when he refused Dortmund's penalty appeal when Marco Reus was brought
down in the area by Raphael Varane, moments before Real equalised.
Real drew level two minutes before the break when Dortmund defender
Mats Hummels' back pass was snatched by Gonzalo Higuain, who drew
Weidenfeller and squared for Ronaldo to tap in his 11th goal in 10
European games.
The hosts turned up the pace in the second half and Lewandowski
grabbed his second with clinical finishing on the turn to slot home Reus'
pass and beat Lopez on 50 minutes.
He netted his third five minutes later when he latched onto Marcel
Schmelzer's cross, then beat centre-back Pepe before drilling his shot
home.
With Dortmund fans in delirium, he claimed his fourth of the night
when Reus was fouled in the area by Xabi Alonso, after Goetze's
through-ball, and there was only one candidate when Kuipers pointed to
the penalty spot on 66 minutes.
Mourinho tried to breathe some life into his Real side with two
changes as Karim Benzema came on for striker Higuain and Angel Di Maria
took over for Luka Modic in the central midfield position.
But only Lopez's excellent diving save denied Lewandowski his fifth
moments later.
Ronaldo's away goal now gives Real a slim life-line for Tuesday's
return leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
AFP |