World Cup field is set, but Italy on outside looking in again
USA TODAY Sports’ Seth Vertelney breaks down the full World Cup field after the completion of the playoff rounds.
Sports Pulse
Bayern Munich and Real Madrid meet Wednesday at Allianz Arena for their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg, with Bayern holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the Bernabéu.
Vincent Kompany’s side earned its first win in Madrid in 25 years last week, with goals from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane giving Bayern a narrow edge heading into the home leg.
Kane has now scored 11 Champions League goals this season and 30 in 35 appearances in the competition since joining Bayern.
Watch Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid on Paramount+
Real Madrid must overturn a one-goal deficit on the road, a task made tougher with Álvaro Arbeloa’s side struggling to maintain its form this season.
Kylian Mbappé’s late strike at the Bernabéu kept Madrid in the tie. The French superstar leads all Champions League scorers this season and will need another big performance to send Los Blancos through.
Bayern Munich – 1Real Madrid – 1
Updated: 21st minute
Aggregate: Bayern Munich 3, Real Madrid 2 (Bayern has away-goal edge, 2-1)
We’re off to a wild start in Bavaria, as Bayern Munich answered Real Madrid’s stunning early goal with a strike of their own just five minutes later.
Aleksandar Pavlovic buried a header off a cross from Joshua Kimmich to even the score at 1-1 in the sixth minute.
Buckle up, sports fans!
Real Madrid took advantage of an early gaffe in the backend by Bayern Munich’s legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
A pass from Neuer was intercepted by Turkish international Arda Güler, who’s long-distance strike put Real Madrid ahead in the first minute.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid todayWhen: Wednesday, April 15Where: Allianz Arena (Munich, Germany)Time: 3 p.m. ETChannel/streaming: Paramount+ (WATCH HERE), VIX (Watch on Prime Video), Univision, TUDNReal Madrid vs Bayern Munich oddsBayern Munich vs Real Madrid prediction
Bayern holds on to the advantage at home in front of a full Allianz Arena and hit on the counter late to pull away.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3, Real Madrid 1
Real Madrid, out of Spain’s Copa del Rey and second in La Liga, nine points behind Barcelona, have only one realistic shot at a trophy.
“Yes, it is a big chance for Real to improve things,” Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer told a press conference. “It is a really difficult period for a club like Real at the moment. We have experienced it ourselves in the past.”
“When you are with your back to the wall you can move mountains,” Neuer said.
– Reuters