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Wednesday European Rewind: Dortmund advances to German Cup Final, Tottenham squeaks past Palace, and more

Borussia Dortmund booked its place in the German Cup Final with a 3-2 road win against reigning champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Despite being down, 2-1, at halftime, Thomas Tuchel’s side fought their way back as Ousmane Dembele scored the winner after 74 minutes.

Marco Reus opened the scoring after 19 minutes, finishing from close range. The Dortmund lead only lasted nine minutes, however, as Javi Martinez headed home Xabi Alonso’s cross for a 1-1 equalizer.

Former Dortmund defender Mats Hummels scored his third goal of the season to give Carlo Ancelotti’s side a 2-1 lead before halftime. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 69th-minute header drew the visitors level before Dembele’s left-footed finish on a fast-break five minutes later put Dortmund in front for good.

Roman Burki made seven saves for Borussia Dortmund, while Sven Ulreich made five for Bayern Munich.

After losing the last three German Cup finals, Borussia Dortmund will look to lift its first trophy since 2011-12. Dortmund will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the May 27 final, which will be played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Elsewhere, Tottenham defeated London rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park while Arsenal used an own-goal to beat visiting Leicester City. In Spain, Barcelona routed Osasuna at the Camp Nou, while Real Madrid defeated Deportivo.

Here is a rundown of all Wednesday’s European action:

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham Hotspur kept their Premier League title hopes alive thanks to a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. After a frustrating scoreless first-half for the visitors, Tottenham found a way to earn a late winner. Christian Eriksen’s long-range effort after 78 minutes proved to be the difference as Mauricio Pochettino’s side bounced back from an FA Cup exit last weekend. Palace only created one shot on goal, while Tottenham had four. Tottenham sits four points behind leaders Chelsea, with five matches to play. Palace remains in 12th place despite losing their second match in the month of April.

Arsenal remained alive for a top-four finish thanks to a 1-0 victory against Leicester City. Alexis Sanchez’s 45th-minute shot struck the crossbar, which was the best effort for either side in the first-half. However an 86th-minute own goal off of Foxes defender Robert Huth found the back of the net, earning Arsenal a massive three points. Arsenal remains in sixth, four points behind Manchester City for fourth place. Leicester drops to 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Arsenal 1 – Leicester City 0

Middlesbrough 1 – Sunderland 0

Crystal Palace 0 – Tottenham Hotspur 1

SPANISH LA LIGA

La Liga leaders Barcelona rolled to a 7-1 beatdown of Osasuna at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. Andre Gomes, Lionel Messi and Paco Alcacer all netted braces for Luis Enrique’s side, who have now won three straight in league play. Messi’s 12th-minute finish opened the scoring for Barcelona, before Gomes’ right-footed effort in the 30th-minute made it 2-0. Roberto Torres’ 48th-minute free-kick pulled Osasuna to within one, but that was the closest the visitors got. Gomes second goal of the day made it 3-1 after 57 minutes before Messi’s long-range effort four minutes later made it 4-1. Alcacer finished off Javier Mascherano’s assist for a 5-1 Barcelona lead in the 64th-minute.Mascherano scored from a penalty in the 67th minute before Alcacer stamped the final score at 7-1 before stoppage time.

Osasuna remains in last-place, now sitting 12 points from safety. Petar Vasiljevac’s side could be relegated on Sunday, if they do not claim a win at Deportivo.

Second-place Real Madrid remained level on points with Barcelona after a 6-2 thumping of Deportivo at the Municipal de Riazor on Wednesday. It was a quick start for the visitors as Alvaro Morata put Real Madrid ahead after one minute. James Rodriguez doubled Madrid’s lead in the 14th minute, finishing from a left-footed strike. Florin Andone’s close-range finish pulled the hosts to within one in the 35th minute before Lucas Vazquez re-extended Madrid’s lead to 3-1 before halftime. Rodriguez scored his second of the day after 66 minutes, making it 4-1 to Real Madrid. Isco’s right-footed effort after 77 minutes made it 5-1 to Zinedine Zidane’s side. Joselu cut the deficit to 5-2 for Deportivo in the 84th-minute, but Casemiro’s long-range strike stamped the final score at 6-2 three minutes later.

Deportivo stays in 16th-place, sitting seven points clear of the relegation zone. Real Madrid is level on points with Barcelona, but remain second on goal difference.

Here are all of Wednesday’s La Liga results:

Barcelona 7 – Osasuna 1

Leganes 3 – Las Palmas 0

Valencia 2 – Real Sociedad 3

Deportivo 2 – Real Madrid 6

GERMAN DFB POKAL

Bayern Munich 2 – Borussia Dortmund 3

Comments

  1. In a way, a very strange Bayern vs. Dortmund game. For long stretches Bayern totally dominated and looked like world beaters, but squandered two or three excellent chances, keeping Dortmund in the game.. Then, some terrible, very sloppy play led to the Dortmund win. Both teams seem to have periods where they lose concentration and give the ball away cheaply and squander a lot of good work.

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