Juventus ousts Real Madrid to reach Champions League final

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon celebrates after his teammate Alvaro Morata scored during the Champions League second leg semifinal soccer match between Real Madrid and Juventus, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

By Harold Heckle
Thursday, May 14, 2015

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MADRID — Alvaro Morata shocked his former team with a 57th-minute goal, and Juventus reached its first Champions League final since 2003 with a 1-1 tie against defending champion Real Madrid on Wednesday night that gave the Italian club a 3-2 aggregate win.

Seeking its third European title and first since 1996, Juventus plays Barcelona in the final at Berlin on June 6.

Cristiano Ronaldo put the hosts ahead with a 23rd-minute penalty kick, his 55th goal this season, after Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson ruled Giorgio Chiellini kneed James Rodriguez. That put Real Madrid ahead on away goals following Juventus' 2-1 win at home last week.

But the Bianconeri went ahead 12 minutes into the second half when goalkeeper Iker Casillas punched Andrea Pirlo's cross and, about 28 yards from the goal, Arturo Vidal lofted the ball into the penalty area.

Paul Pogba, just outside the 6-yard box, out-jumped Sergio Ramos and headed the ball to an unmarked Morata, and the 22-year-old Spaniard beat Casillas with a left-footed shot from 11 yards that went in on a bounce. Morata, who was with Real from 2008-14, did not celebrate, repeating his reaction after his first-leg goal.

Madrid, which outshot Juventus 22-8, pushed for a goal by was stymied by 37-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Juventus also won Europe's top club title in 1985. Barcelona, which defeated Bayern Munich on Tuesday, is a four-time champion and will be playing its first final since 2011.

Real's Carlo Ancelotti led Los Merengues to their record 10th European title and was trying to become the first to coach to win four European club championships.

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