DORTMUND: Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid became the first clubs to reach the semi-finals of this season”s Champions League but had to endure more drama than either had expected.

Outgoing German champions Dortmund had to score twice in stoppage time to beat Malaga 3-2. The Spanish outsiders had appeared to be progressing when Eliseu put them 2-1 up with eight minutes remaining, before Reus and Santana struck in a style reminiscent of Manchester United in the 1999 final.

Malaga had taken  the lead when Joaquin rolled the ball in after 25 minutes, before Robert Lewandowski levelled the scores before half time. But the away goal saw Dortmund become increasingly desperate, and Malaga looked to have qualified for the last four until the hosts’ willpower saw them home.

In Istanbul Real Madrid progressed to the last four despite a second-half effort by  Galatasaray which had Jose Mourinho’s side in a panic.

Already three goals up from the first leg at the Bernabeu, the tie was seemingly put to bed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s seventh-minute strike. But an Emmanuel Eboue thunderbolt after 57 minutes brought Gala back level on the night, before Wesley Sneijder put the home side ahead after 70 minutes.

Seconds later Didier Drogba reduced the aggregate deficit further – with his first Champions League goal since last season’s final – and although Real substitute Alvaro Arbeloa was sent off late on, Ronaldo cracked his second in stoppage time, as Madrid’s quest for a 10th European Cup continued.

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