VIDEO: Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior joins exclusive Champions League club alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin De Bruyne by netting well-taken semi-final opener against Bayern Munich

The Real Madrid forward netted the semi-final tie's opening goal in the 24th minute of the first leg at the Allianz Arena in Munich. It was a remarkable, measured through ball from Toni Kroos against his former club and a composed first-time finish from Vini on his right foot beyond the on-rushing Manuel Neuer.

Vinicius Junior had previously scored in the Champions League semi-finals against Manchester City in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, making this the third successive season in which he has found the net in the competition's last four. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15), Kevin De Bruyne (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23) and Jari Litmanen (1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97) have previously achieved that feat in the competition.

With La Liga all but sewn up, Vinicius Junior is targeting his second career Champions League title this season. If he helps Real Madrid achieve that, the Brazilian could even be a genuine contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, although he would face stiff competition from current team-mate Jude Bellingham and expected future team-mate Kylian Mbappe.