Robben ends Bayern’s final misery

Arjen Robben scored in the 89th minute to give Bayern Munich a 2-1 win over German rival Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final Saturday, ending four years of frustration for his team in Europe’s biggest tournament.

Robben ran onto Franck Ribery’s backheeled flick in the penalty area and put the ball past goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller to send Bayern to its first Champions League victory since 2001. The German team had lost two of the last three finals, including on penalty kicks to Chelsea last year in its own stadium in Munich.

In a game that featured chances for both teams, Mario Mandzukic put Bayern ahead in the 60th minute at Wembley Stadium before Ilkay Gundogan evened the score through a penalty kick eight minutes later after defender Dante fouled Marco Reus in the area.

Robben, who missed two great chances in the first half, then finally came through for Bayern to set off wild celebrations in the red-and-white end of Wembley. It was the perfect redemption for Robben, who missed a penalty in extra time of last year’s final, causing some Bayern fans to turn against him. A year later, after the final whistle sounded in London, he strode with his arms raised towards the section of jubilant Bayern fans.

Robben also set up the first goal for Bayern, taking a pass from Ribery and drawing Weidenfeller out toward the sideline before squaring for Mandzukic, who could hardly miss from a few yards out.

But the lead didn’t last long. Dante clumsily clattered into Reus in the penalty area, and Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed to the spot. Gundogan sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way before slotting his kick into the right side of the net.

Bayern entered the game as the clear favourites, although that message didn’t seem to have filtered through to Juergen Klopp’s Dortmund team, which seemed intent on dictating play from the start. It largely succeeded for the first 25 minutes as well, although it was Bayern that ended up with the best chances of the first half.

Mandezukic came closest when his header was tipped onto the bar by Weidenfeller in the 26th, and the goalkeeper then denied Robben four minutes later when the speedy winger raced clear towards the goal.