Joselu Surfaces as Real Madrid's Unanticipated Champion in the Champions League

Real Madrid found their unexpected hero in Joselu, as the 34-year-old forward turned the tide in their favor during the Champions League semi-finals against Bayern Munich. Madrid was trailing a goal behind, and an exit seemed inevitable. Joselu's entry in the 81st minute, however, dealt a game-changing performance.

Having had rather unremarkable tenure with Stoke City and Newcastle United, Joselu was a surprise pick to many. He seized on a rare misconduct from Manuel Neuer, Bayern's goalkeeper, to even the score in the 88th minute. He then deftly drove a volley from Antonio Rudiger's pass home in the initial minute of extra time.

Originally jettisoned for offside, a VAR check affirmed Joselu as onside, sparking an incredible jubilation among Madrid supporters. Real Madrid, driven to the finish-line by this unexpected hero, now awaits the final against Borussia Dortmund set to happen on 1st June at Wembley.

After Karim Benzema, Real's second-highest scorer ever, branched out to Al-Ittihad last summer, Joselu's loan entry from Espanyol filled the void. He had scored 17 goals for Espanyol in the previous season and maintained a consistent score with Real this year as well, scoring 17 times in 46 appearances, 30 of which were substitute entries.

Team-mate and England midfielder, Jude Bellingham, celebrated Joselu's performance, and even Joselu confessed he couldn't have envisioned such a defining moment. Despite his history of critics remarking on missed chances, Joselu has indeed carved out his story in this season's Champions League. With three years at Alaves, one at Espanyol and now at Real Madrid, he had always accomplished double figures in scoring since moving back to Spain. The exceptional turnaround from Real Madrid is a testament to Joselu's instinctive understanding of the sport and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.