Camavinga, "creating" a classic Champions League match, squanders Real Madrid's advantage

Written by Han Bing Seven spectacular goals, outstanding performances from superstars, along with major errors and controversial refereeing decisions... the recent magical night at the Allianz Arena was undoubtedly a Champions League classic—and Camavinga's red card, which altered the course of the drama, was the pivotal moment. However, for Real Madrid, who lost and were eliminated, this dramatic twist became a nightmare that ruined their promising situation, not only signaling the failure of their comeback in the Champions League quarter-finals but also marking the premature end of their season. After being reversed 3-4 in the second leg and suffering a double defeat with an aggregate score of 4-6, Real Madrid must face the harsh reality of ending another season without any major trophies.

The thrilling first half was largely a "contest" of errors between the goalkeepers Neuer and Lunin: Neuer, who was instrumental in Bayern's first-leg victory, provided an accidental assist within 35 seconds, allowing Güler to score a miraculous lob into an empty net. Five minutes later, Real Madrid's goalkeeper Lunin misjudged the ball's trajectory, allowing Pavlović to head in an equalizer. In the 30th minute, Güler's free-kick saw Neuer react too slowly, his left hand touching the ball but unable to prevent Real Madrid from taking the lead again. Eight minutes later, Lunin again misjudged and dove in the wrong direction, allowing Kane to turn and score, leveling the match once more. However, in the 42nd minute, Vinícius Jr. surged down the left flank and combined with Mbappé, giving Real Madrid their third lead of the game.

The turning point of the match occurred in the second half. Kompany made the first adjustment, substituting Davies for underperforming Stanisic, and bringing in Musiala for Gnabry, which noticeably improved both offense and defense. Ancelotti reacted afterward, but replacing Brahim with Camavinga actually put Real Madrid on the defensive. In the 86th minute, Camavinga's pointless refusal to return the ball completely changed the direction of the match. The French player received a second yellow card and was sent off. With Bayern now having an extra player, Dias and Olise scored consecutively, completing a dramatic late comeback at home.

This Allianz Arena clash, which can be called a Champions League classic, saw its biggest controversy stem from referee Vinčić—the Slovenian official played the role of a poor referee who displeased both sides on this night.

German media believed Vinčić's several controversial decisions in the first half favored Real Madrid, with Vinícius Jr. and Rüdiger committing serious fouls without receiving yellow cards. Spanish media considered the red card given to Camavinga in the 85th minute, which decided the match's outcome, to be overly harsh. The Real Madrid midfielder fouled Kane from behind, was called for the foul, carried the ball a few steps, then picked it up and threw it down, receiving a second yellow card for refusing to return the ball.

And Vinčić, only after being reminded by Bayern players, realized it was a second yellow card and turned to show the red card. Camavinga's expulsion directly led to Real Madrid, playing with one fewer player in the final moments, being eliminated as Bayern scored two consecutive goals. It also triggered post-match protests from Real Madrid players like Güler surrounding the referee, with Güler, who should have been a hero for Real Madrid, receiving a red card.

But regardless of media and public debate, the outcome cannot be changed. Moreover, Camavinga's unnecessary delay and complaints were indeed self-inflicted. Already carrying a yellow card, he did not learn from last season's quarter-final experience of consecutive yellows leading to expulsion. Compared to last season's expulsion when Real Madrid were already three goals down away from home, his dismissal timing in this match was a devastating blow to the game's situation.

This marks Real Madrid's sixth elimination by Bayern in Champions League history, the previous five being in the 1975/76, 1986/87, 2000/01, and 2011/12 semi-finals, and the 2006/07 quarter-finals. Moreover, this is the first time Real Madrid have suffered a double defeat against Bayern in Champions League knockout stages since the 2000/01 season. During the match, even a dispute erupted between Bellingham and Vinícius Jr., highlighting discord within the locker room.

Real Madrid have failed to reach the Champions League semi-finals for two consecutive seasons. After the match, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez entered the locker room to console the team, having done the same previously when Real Madrid were stopped in the quarter-finals (losing to Ajax in 2019 and Chelsea in 2023). However, from an external perspective, this appears more like a post-failure urging of the team. A major overhaul at Real Madrid this summer is inevitable; besides the inevitable coaching change, some first-team players will also pay the price by leaving the club.

Florentino Pérez is certainly very displeased with ending another season without any major trophies, but even more disappointed is Mbappé, who originally hoped to more easily win the Champions League trophy at Real Madrid. On this night, he and Bayern's star striker Kane, who also has never won the Champions League trophy in his career, performed brilliantly together—both scoring again just like last week at the Bernabéu: Kane scored his 50th goal of the season, becoming the English player with the most goals in a single season since Aston Villa's Waring in 1930/31; Mbappé scored his 40th goal of the season, tying Messi for single-season Champions League goals (15), and simultaneously becoming the youngest player (27 years and 116 days) to score 70 Champions League goals.

Kane, who joined Bayern and has already broken his trophy-less curse, continues his hope for Champions League glory, while Mbappé must face the embarrassment of having no Champions League trophies over ten seasons. More ironically, he left Paris Saint-Germain for the Champions League trophy, and his individual performances over two seasons at Real Madrid have also been commendable. Yet the Galácticos, revered as kings of the Champions League, have failed to reach the semi-finals for two consecutive seasons, while his former club crowned themselves as new champions in his first year away and have now reached the semi-finals again, making one reflect on the twists of fate.