By CIARAN FAHEY
Robert Lewandowski scored four goals to lead Dortmund over Real Madrid 4-1 Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal.
''It was a royal evening for us,'' Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Guendogan said, playing on ''real,'' the Spanish word for ''royal.''
Bayern Munich routed Barcelona 4-0 a night earlier, making it likely Europe's top club competition will have an all-German final for the first time. The second legs of the total-goals series are in Spain next week, with the winners meeting at London's Wembley Stadium on May 25.
''We still have to go to Madrid. That won't be a stroll in the park,'' Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp said.
Real Madrid, a nine-time winner, was favored against Dortmund, which won the Champions League for the only time in 1997.
Lewandowski opened the scoring in the eighth minute, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to tie the score with a tap-in in the 43rd after Gonzalo Higuain seized on Mats Hummels' weak backpass. It was Ronaldo's 50th Champions League goal, including 12 this season.
Lewandowski beat an offside trap in the 50th for his second goal, running onto Marco Reus' defense-splitting pass and tucking the ball past goalkeeper Diego Lopez. He made it 3-1 five minutes later when he eluded Pepe by dragging the ball back and scored from close range.
''The third goal was worth every cent ZDF and Sky give us,'' Klopp said, referring to broadcast networks.
Lewandowski converted a penalty kick in the 67th after Xabi Alonso shoved Reus in the back and was called for the foul.
''I'm very happy with the four goals, of course,'' Lewandowski said. ''But we're not yet through. We have to stay as concentrated when we play in Madrid. Because up to now, we've only taken the first step.''
Lewandowski became just the second player to score four or more goals in the Champions League knockout stage, joining Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who had four against Arsenal in 2010 and five against Bayer Leverkusen last year.
''I could see there was one team on the pitch that was much better than the other. The better team definitely won,'' Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said.
The second legs will be played in Madrid next Tuesday and in Barcelona the following day.
''In football everything is possible,'' Mourinho said. ''Anything can happen next week.
Dortmund, the only unbeaten side remaining in the competition, is 6-0 at home. Madrid has lost its last six games in Germany.
Klopp credited Dortmund's fans, clad in the team's bee colors, for their support.
''Without this atmosphere this game would not have been possible,'' he said. ''One hundred percent.''
Source: the Associated Press
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