Bayern end Real reign

Elber celebrates his early strike in Munich

Bayern Munich 2-1 Real Madrid
(Bayern Munich win 3-1 on aggregate)

Bayern Munich booked a meeting with Valencia in the final of the Champions League by beating holders Real Madrid.

German tenacity and organisation overcame Spanish flair and the extra determination of Bayern helped them into an early lead through Giovane Elber.

Though Luis Figo equalised, Jens Jeremies sealed Real's fate before the break to set up a meeting of the runners-up in the past two years of the competition.

And on this two-legged performance by Bayern, Valencia are assured of a stern examination in the final in Milan on 23 May.

  Key moments from Munich

1 min: Scholl is denied by Casillas

8 mins: Elber heads Bayern Munich in front

18 mins: Luis Figo levels the match on the night

34 mins: Jeremies puts the German side back ahead

62 mins: Linke's header is tipped over by Casillas

66 mins: Morientes replaces Karanka

Despite their victory in Madrid, Bayern had come in for criticism about their defensive play and it clearly stung Ottmar Hitzfeld's side into action.

Before Elber struck on eight minutes Casillas had already pulled off two fantastic saves.

He denied Scholl at full stretch as Bayern broke direct from the kick-off, and then saved with his legs from Elber.

The Brazilian striker, who netted the only goal of the first leg, gave the Spanish keeper no chance when he reacted quickest to head home from two yards after a Bayern corner was not cleared.

It was a goal that highlighted the lackadaisical start that the Madrid defence had made to the game.

Jeremies was totally unmarked as he bundled the ball goalwards and though his effort was turned on to the bar, Elber turned the loose ball home.

Roberto Carlos and Salihamidzic in battle

It mattered little in real terms as Del Bosque's side needed to score at least twice.

And they showed that could be a real possibility as Roberto Carlos, Raul and Figo crafted the type of goal that befits such a trio of outstanding talent.

Just as the Spanish champions began to contemplate that half their task was complete, their requirements were raised again as Bayern regained the lead on the night.

Again Bayern's cause was aided by casual Real defending.

Karanka needlessly conceded a free-kick, then Jeremies was left unattended on the edge of the 18-yard box.

He accepted a short pass from Scholl before firing past Casillas.

Real dominated possession in the second half, just as they had throughout the first leg, but they found the Bayern defence inpenetrable.

Kahn was a redundant figure in the Bayern goal and the defence were helped in no short measure by impressive young English midfielder Owen Hargreaves, making his first Champions League start.

Casillas was also a spectator at the other end but was at least called upon to tip a Linke header from a Hargreaves corner over the bar.

Not even the introduction of Morientes and Savio could spark Real as they relinquished their hold on the trophy.

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Bayern Munich: Kahn, Sagnol, Lizarazu, Kuffour, Andersson, Scholl, Elber, Jeremies, Salihamidzic, Hargreaves, Linke. Subs: Dreher, Weisinger, Sforza, Tarnat, Jancker, Zickler, Santa Cruz.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Carlos, Hierro, Helguera, Raul, McManaman, Figo, Guti, Karanka, Makelele. Subs: Cesar, Morientes, Savio, Campo, Geremi, Conceicao, Munitis.

Referee: K Nielsen (Denmark).