Guardiola 'happy' for Barcelona as Neymar sinks Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich 3 Barcelona 2

[Barcelona win 5-3 on aggregate]

Barcelona are in their first Champions League final since 2011 but they were made to work for the honour by a Bayern team looking to restore their reputation after the 3-0 defeat in the first leg of the semi-final.

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When Medhi Benatia's downward header gave the German champions the lead after just seven minutes, the Bayern faithful began to believe that the mother of all comebacks was on the cards despite the absence of the injured wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. But their hopes were cruelly dashed just eight minutes later when Luis Suarez's cross was met by Neymar for the Barcelona equalizer. The Brazilian then added a second – with Suarez again providing the assist - for the visitors on the half-hour mark to leave Bayern facing a near impossible task of scoring six goals in the hour that remained.

The task was not made any easier when Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen pulled off a sensational save to deny Robert Lewandowski an equaliser before half time that would have at least given Bayern something to chase.

Suarez didn't emerge after the break (a tight hamstring the cause) and that set the tone for the second half with Barcelona content to sit on their handsome advantage. Lewandowski's strike on 59 minutes drew the sides level on the night and when Thomas Muller steered the ball into the Barcelona net on 74 minutes the more optimistic Bayern fan again started to believe in the miracle.

But three goals in 15 minutes was not to be as Barcelona blunted any more Bayern attacks to take their place in next month's final against either Real Madrid or Juventus.

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, who guided Barcelona to two Champions League titles during his time in charge at the Camp Nou, was magnanimous in defeat, singling out his Spanish counterpart for praise. "Luis Enrique is doing a really good job," declared Guardiola. "Whether they play Real Madrid or Juventus, it will be a great final. Barca are strong at the back, in good physical condition and quick in attack."

And although Lionel Messi failed to add to the two goals he scored in the first leg, Guardiola said the Argentine striker will be Barcelona's main strike weapon in the final. "He is very, very strong. He is the best player of all time," said Guardiola. "I compare him with Pele. I am so happy to see this football... [and] is definitely back at his best."

Enrique remains on course to win the treble in his first season in charge of Barcelona (provided a domestic strike is averted). Having already reached the Copa del Rey final, where they are schedled to play Athletic Bilbao on 30 May, Barcelona require one win from their remaining two games to clinch the Spanish league title.

Now they have a fifth Champions League title within their grasp and Enrique was understandably a satisfied man on Tuesday evening. "It's a great achievement," said the 45-year-old. "We're one win away from winning each of the three competitions. This is our mission. This is what it means to be part of Barca"