Barca advance to CL final despite 3-2 loss to Bayern in return-leg

Barcelona progressed to their first Champions League final since 2011 despite enduring a 3-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in their return-leg tie on Tuesday night in Germany.

Holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg, Barca secured a quick equalizer when Neymar netted his first goal of the night from a Luiz Suarez pass in the 15th minute after Medhi Benatia put Bayern ahead seven minute before.

Neymar doubled the lead after picking a well-worked assist from Suarez again in the 29th minute.

Subsequently, Bayern's Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller tried to salvage pride as both curled in two stunning goals to steer their team to victory but Barca still qualified on the basis of aggregate 5-3 goals.

The win means the tempting prospect of an 'El Clasico' showdown against Real Madrid in the 6 June final in Berlin remains alive, the BBC reported.

Defending champions Real must overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Italian champions Juventus on Wednesday to set a final showdown for the European crown.