An exhilarating first-half Bayern Munich showing saw them rout FC Porto 6-1 at home to advance into the Uefa Champions League semi-finals, 7-4 on aggregate.
The Bundesliga champions could wrap up the defence of their domestic league title this weekend, and now head into Friday’s semi-final draw despite trailing by two goals coming into the Tuesday night’s reverse.
Thiago Alcantara opened the floodgate after 14 minutes and qualification job was put to bed at the break with the Bavarians leading 5-0. They sailed through the second half, which saw Porto’s Ivan Marcano sent off for a second booking after a clumsy challenge on the Spaniard in the build-up to Bayern’s sixth goal after Jackson Martinez had grabbed a consolation for the 2004 winners.
Jerome Boateng, Robert Lewandowski (twice), Thomas Muller also got on the score sheet in a superb first half and Xabi Alonso closed out victory in the closing minutes.
Bayern are 12 points clear at the summit of the Bundesliga and a win at home to Hertha Berlin will see them clinch the German championship for a third successive season.
Back to the Champions League on Tuesday, Thiago’s, Boateng’s and Lewandowski’s all scored with their heads in the space of seven minutes to pull the hosts ahead on aggregate.
Muller’s shot from the edge of the box was then deflected off Bruno Indi past goalkeeper Fabiano who was caught flat footed.
Lewadownski made it 5-0, five minutes to the break when Muller picked out the Pole and he planted the ball into the bottom corner. The 2013 champions thus became the first side to score five goals before half-time in a Champions League knockout game.
Martinez scored his seventh goal of the campaign but Alonso’s subsequent free-kick restored Bayern’s five-goal cushion after Ivan Marcano was sent off for Porto.
