Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Marco Asensio celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg football match FC Bayern Munich v Real Madrid CF in Munich. Pic/AFP

Real Madrid moved a step closer to a third straight Champions League title after substitute Marco Asensio hit the winner in a 2-1 semi-final, first-leg victory at Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The 22-year-old came off the bench to finish a counter-attack and complete the holders' comeback win, giving Real the advantage for the return game in Madrid next Tuesday. "We knew what to expect, we did well and put in a good performance," said Real captain Sergio Ramos. "There is still the return to come, but we'll be very focused and we defended well, that was the main thing." Bayern took the lead at the sold-out Allianz Arena through Joshua Kimmich, but Marcelo equalised just before the break and Asensio put Real ahead. "In the middle of the first half, we were playing well, but we lacked the killer instinct," said Bayern skipper Thomas Mueller. "Everything is still possible, but we did ourselves no favours today."