 "Who is Joselu - Real Madrid's match winner against Bayern Munich")
Real Madrid came from a goal down to beat Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. At the front of the turnaround in the dying minutes was back-up option Joselu.
Introduced in the 81st minute, with Real Madrid trailing 1-0 to an Alphonso Davies belter and heading for a semi-final defeat, Joselu completely turned the tie on its head in just 10 minutes as he scored a quickfire brace. It allowed the 14-time champions to win 2-1, progressing 4-3 on aggregate.
After the game he was, expectedly, over the moon with his contribution and for steering the team into yet another European final.
“Not even my sweetest dreams are as big as what happened today,” Joselu told Real Madrid TV.
“I don’t know about hero, but I am very happy… it was incredible, something spectacular.
“This team never gives up, it’s in their blood to fight until the end and that’s what we did.”
His equaliser came after Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer spilled a shot in his path when the German international failed to hold on to a Vinicius Jr. long range effort.
“The first goal is about being smart, they were tired, in a low block, and you could see that,” said Joselu.
The striker faced a nervous wait before his second was approved after it had initially been flagged offside.
“(I was thinking) don’t rule it out,” he continued.
“I was praying and asking whoever was out there for them not to rule it out.”
Who is Joselu - Real Madrid’s unlikely goal hero?
Football, the only sport where you spend months talking about players you gonna sign for tons of millions…
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2024
…and then the one you signed on loan with €1.5m buy option sends you to Champions League final. 🤯
What a story, Joselu. pic.twitter.com/P8PJX6pE5r
Prior to re-joining Real Madrid on loan in July 2023, Joselu was somewhat of a journeyman footballer, having played for Real Madrid Castilla (the ‘B’ team), Newcastle, Hannover and Stoke City, to name some of his previous employers.
His two most recent teams, Alaves and Espanyol – from whom he is on loan at Madrid – were in fact relegated from La Liga in the last two seasons prior to the current campaign.
Late bloomer
Joselu sends Real Madrid to Wembley! 👏#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/oTZ5lDpvbI
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 8, 2024
Joselu represented Spain in the youth categories from U-19 to U-21 but made the step up to senior side until much older.
The Real Madrid forward earned his first cap in March 2023 at 32 years, 11 months and 26 days.
He has now made 10 international appearances and has scored five goals for La Roja, including a brace on his debut in a 3-0 win against Norway.
German roots
Joselu, you made me lose my voice 😭 damn it pic.twitter.com/JZ38pfjFGR
— Mary (@marymadridista_) May 8, 2024
Although Joselu represents the Spanish national team, the striker was actually born in West Germany in 1990.
He was born in the city of Stuttgart, a major German city in the south of the country and a traditional local rival of Bayern Munich.
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