Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich Live: Scores, Highlights and Player Grades

Real Madrid will step out onto their home pitch on Wednesday and try to erase a 2-1 deficit to Bayern Munich for the right to battle Chelsea in the Champions League final.

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 6:15 p.m. ET

Are you ready for some difficult to judge player grades? I say difficult to determine because the early rush of scoring, which gave way to a defensive stalemate, which gave way to an odd PK makes these marks hard to determine. 

But we'll take everything into account with these marks. 

Player Grades for Key Real Madrid Players

Cristiano Ronaldo: B+

There is no better case in point as to why the grades for this match are difficult than Ronaldo. He was a goal away from a hat trick just 15 minutes into this match, and he did not score again. 

It wasn't for a lack of effort. Ronaldo fired off 10 shots. He just couldn't find his target. He also set the tone for the whacky penalty kick by being denied on his team's first attempt. 

Iker Casillas: A-

It certainly isn't Casillas' fault his team is not advancing. He allowed just one goal, and it came on a penalty. 

He also made five saves during the action, and forced Bayern into two misses in penalties. All of this should have been good enough for his team to advance. 

Karim Benzema: B

Benzema played a solid match. He was active and involved. He had a wonderful touch that turned into an assist on Ronaldo's goal. 

He also fired off three shots, and was one of just three Madrid players to put a shot on goal. 

Player Grades for Key Bayern Munich Players

Arjen Robben: A-

Robben had a wonderful match. He found himself in the center of the action often, and he capitalized on that. 

He fired off six shots, three of which were on target. He also netted Bayern's only goal, that came on a nicely placed penalty kick in the first. 

Manuel Neuer: A

Things did not exactly get off to a great start for Neuer. He allowed two goals in the first 15 minutes. However both were nice efforts from the amazing Ronaldo, one of which was on a penalty kick, so you can't hold that against him. 

Neuer played amazing after that. He ended the match with four saves. More importantly, he got his right hand on Ronaldo's shot in the PKs, and set the tone for the entire shootout with that massive rejection. 

Mario Gomez: A-

Gomez couldn't get his team on the board in regulation or extra time, but it was not for lack of effort. He had eight shots, and three of those were on target. 

He did provide a huge goal in the penalties. With a 1-0 lead following Ronaldo's miss, Gomez stepped up and calmly drilled his shot. 

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 5:35 p.m. ET

What a crazy and exciting match these two put on for us. Real Madrid jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after two Rinaldo goals in the match's opening 15 minutes. 

It took just 12 minutes for Arjen Robben to lock up the aggregate score at three with a goal for Bayern, and that was it for the scoring. 

These two ended the full 90 with the aggregate still locked at three, and they played 30 more minutes, and there were still no more goals. That brought us to this penalty shootout (apologies for the poor video quality). 

And with that Bayern moves on. Stay tuned for player grades. 

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 5:23 p.m. ET

In a shockingly inept display of penalty kicking, Bayern Munich advances to the Champions League final. 

They took the penalty kicks 3-1. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the penalty kicks after Ronaldo and Kaka were off the mark in their first attempts, but they then missed their next two kicks. 

Lucky for them, Madrid's PK woes continued, and Bayern now moves on. 

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 4:58 p.m. ET

Halfway through the extra time, nothing has changed. The match still sits at 2-1 Madrid, which leaves the aggregate tied. 

This contest is 15 minutes away from having penalties decide who will make the Champions League Final.

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 4:35 p.m. ET

At the end of regulation, it is all tied up. Not the match. That is 2-1 Madrid, but the aggregate and the away goals are locked. 

That means these two teams venture into 30 minutes of extra time to try and determine a winner, and will advance on to penalty kicks if the extra time does not resolve this gridlock. 

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m. ET

It looked like Los Blancos were going to run away with this thing, but the action has settled and at the 53 minute mark the score sits at 2-1, leaving a 3-3 aggregate tie with both teams having scored an away goal. 

Something is going to have to give. 

Also, here is the highlight of Robben's goal delivered for your viewing pleasure. 

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 3:15 p.m. ET

Don't count Bayern out! They have leveled the aggregate score at three as Arjen Robben slid in a penalty shot. 

Casillas was able to get a slight tip of the glove on the shot as he dove to his right, but it was just enough to barely alter the path of the ball, and not enough to keep it from scoring. The penalty was awarded after Pepe got a yellow card for pushing Gomez. 

Here is the highlight from Ronaldo's second goal. 

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m. ET

Just 15 minutes into this match, and Ronaldo is one goal away from a hat trick as his side enjoys a 2-0 lead in the match and a 3-2 lead in aggregate. 

On his second goal, Ronaldo got the pass on the left side just outside the box. He masterfully slid it to the low left post, just outside the reach of the keeper. 

Here is the highlight from his first goal. 

Update: Wednesday, April 24 at 2:52 p.m. ET

It didn't take long for Madrid to erase their one goal deficit. Just over six minutes into the match, Madrid earned a penalty kick. And Cristiano Ronaldo delivered. 

He drilled a nice and easy low kick to the right post to give his side a 1-0 lead. 

Bayern's slender edge will have the drama cranked up for the match from the opening seconds. 

While Bayern has the edge, they are not in the most enviable position. 

Los Blancos are a talented squad. They are imposing on any pitch, but they are especially intimidating on their home pitch. 

They carry a perfect Champions League record this term in the comfy confines of Santiago Bernabeu. They have also won 10 of their last 11 European games in their rollicking home stadium. 

Both squads arrive in good health. Bayern will likely feature a lineup similar to the one that gained them this edge. 

Madrid's lineup should have a few changes. The only injury concern for Los Blancos is Ricardo Carvalho. But look for Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka to be inserted into the starting lineup.

Both squads will be fighting, clawing and kicking as they try to add a little 2012 hardware to the trophy case. 

For Bayern, the chance at Champions League glory will be a nice bit of redemption. They've struggled domestically this year. 

Meanwhile, a trip to the finals will put Los Blancos on the verge of an unforgettable year. They've all but got the La Liga title wrapped up, and are poised to pull off this power double dip—if they can make up the one-goal deficit.