Bayern Munich have powered their way into the Champions League semi-finals after thrashing Porto 6-1 in Tuesday’s quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Arena.
The hosts were quickest off the starting blocks and nearly took the lead in the eighth minute when Thomas Muller’s powerful shot was parried by Fabiano before Robert Lewandowski struck the post with the rebound.
Bayern were intent on overturning their two-goal deficit from the first leg as quick as possible and they only had to wait until just before the quarter-hour mark to break the deadlock.
Juan Bernat whipped a neat cross into the box from the left flank, where Thiago Alcantara beat his marker to head home from six yards out at the near post.
Porto’s initial cautious confidence soon turned to nerves as Pep Guardiola’s charges doubled their lead on the night just seven minutes later, Jerome Boateng heading home from close range after being played in by Holger Badstuber.
Not even half an hour had elapsed before Bayern succeeded in wiping out their deficit, Muller helping the ball on towards Lewandowski, who duly fired home.
Porto’s humiliation was far from over as Bayern had time to rattle a further two goals past the beleaguered Fabiano before the break.
In the 36th minute, Muller’s shot from the edge of the area deflected off Bruno Martins Indi and wrong footed the keeper on its way into the net, and just four minutes later, Lewandowski collected Muller’s pass before rifling into the bottom corner.
Despite the second half appearing to be a formality, Bayern continued to press forward in a bid to put the tie to bed, but Porto were not showing any signs of giving up.
Julen Lopetegui’s charges were rewarded in the 73rd minute when Hector Herrera reached the byline before cutting the ball back for Jackson Martinez to fire home.
Similarly, Barcelona cruised into the semi-finals of the Champions League after a Neymar double secured a 2-0 win on the night against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their quarter-final at the Nou Camp.
The visitors, chasing a two-goal deficit, got off on the wrong foot when David Luiz was booked just three minutes in for a challenge on Ivan Rakitic.
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