UEFA Champions League 2026 Semifinals Recap

UEFA Champions League 2026 – Semifinal Recap

The UEFA Champions League 2026 semifinals delivered plenty of drama as four clubs battled for a place in Europe's biggest club match. In the end, Valencia and AEK Athens emerged victorious after two tightly contested semifinal ties.

Semifinal 1: Valencia (Spain) vs Bayern Munich (Germany)

First Leg

Valencia 3–0 Bayern Munich
Venue: Mestalla Stadium

Valencia produced a stunning performance at home, taking complete control of the tie with a commanding 3-0 victory. The Spanish side's attack overwhelmed Bayern, giving them a significant cushion heading into the return leg.

Second Leg

Bayern Munich 2–0 Valencia
Venue: Allianz Arena

Bayern Munich responded strongly in Germany, winning 2-0 and putting Valencia under pressure. However, Valencia's first-leg advantage proved just enough to survive the comeback attempt.

Aggregate Result

Valencia 3–2 Bayern Munich

Despite losing the second leg, Valencia advanced to the final thanks to their dominant performance in Spain. Bayern came close to forcing extra time but fell one goal short.

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Semifinal 2: Marítimo (Portugal) vs AEK Athens (Greece)

First Leg

Marítimo 4–1 AEK Athens
Venue: Estádio do Marítimo

Marítimo appeared to have one foot in the final after an impressive 4-1 home victory. Their three-goal advantage seemed more than enough heading into the second leg.

Second Leg

AEK Athens 4–0 Marítimo
Venue: OPAP Arena

The second leg produced one of the greatest comebacks of the tournament. AEK Athens completely turned the tie around with a dominant 4-0 victory in front of their home supporters.

Aggregate Result

AEK Athens advance on away goals

The aggregate score finished level after two legs, but AEK's crucial away goal in Portugal proved decisive. After suffering a heavy defeat in the first leg, the Greek club completed an incredible turnaround to reach the final.

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Road to the Final

The semifinals showcased two very different paths to qualification:

• Valencia survived a late Bayern Munich comeback after building a large first-leg advantage.
• AEK Athens staged a remarkable comeback from a three-goal deficit, overturning Marítimo and advancing on the away-goals rule.

UEFA Champions League 2026 Final

Valencia (Spain) vs AEK Athens (Greece)

Valencia's disciplined defense and strong first-leg performances will be tested against an AEK Athens side full of momentum after one of the tournament's most memorable semifinal comebacks. The stage is now set for a fascinating UEFA Champions League 2026 Final.