Winger's super strike helps Bayern Munich seal Champions League semi-final spot on away goals

Robben's super strike helps Bayern Munich seal Champions League semi-final

Winger's super strike helps Bayern Munich seal CHampions League semi-final spot on away goals

Arjen Robben soaks in the atmosphere after Bayern Munich went past Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the Champions League yesterday. PICS/AFP

Rooney, surprisingly in the starting line-up after overcoming an ankle injury, had looked to have inspired a famous win when United went 3-0 up but the match swung at the start of the second half when Rafael was sent off for a second booking and a flare-up of Rooney's ankle saw him substituted.

Bayern then dominated and triumphed when Arjen Robben volleyed home the vital second away goal in the 74th minute.

Alex Ferguson's decision to start Rooney paid dividends within three minutes as United seized the lead with the goal made by the United frontman and scored by Darron Gibson.

Rafael started the move with a pass infield and Rooney's lay-off to Gibson was perfectly weighted for the Republic of Ireland man to strike a low shot from 20 yards past Hans-Jorg Butt for his fifth goal of the season.

If that sent the Old Trafford crowd into early ecstasy, there was near-delirium when Nani's extravagant back-flick made it 2-0 in the seventh minute. Antonio Valencia was the creator, teasing Holger Badstuber before finding enough space to fire in the cross with Nani unmarked in the six-yard box and able to finish with a flourish.

Then, Antonio Valencia burst down the right and hit a low cross that Rooney allowed to run for Nani to drill with glorious precision into the roof of the net. It may have looked all over for Bayern but Olic secured a precious lifeline two minutes later after Michael Carrick was unable to deal with his strength and the striker beat Van der Sar from a tight angle.

There was a body blow for United five minutes into the second half when Rafael was given a second yellow card for pulling back Franck Ribery.

Lyon seal semis spot too
BORDEAUX: Lyon reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history despite losing 1-0 to Bordeaux in a tense quarter-final second leg yesterday.

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