Real Madrid survived a huge scare to progress through to the Champions League semi-finals as Borussia Dortmund fell just short of a stunning second-leg fightback.
Dortmund had it all to do after losing the first leg 3-0 in Spain but last season's runners-up looked on course to stage a remarkable comeback when, after seeing Madrid winger Angel di María miss an early penalty, they scored twice through Marco Reus during a first-half onslaught.
Mkhitaryan missed two glorious chances to level the tie as Dortmund attacked Madrid
In the 64th minute the visitors survived a huge let off when Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed an open goal.
The Armenia international looked to have done the hard work as he raced onto Reus' through-ball and rounded Casillas but, with the goal at his mercy, he shot against the near post.
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
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Dortmunds fans cheers prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, second leg football match Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid CF on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, western Germany. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(02 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund gestures after scoring his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(03 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid takes his penalty which was saved by Roman Weidenfeller of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(04 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid takes his penalty which was saved by Roman Weidenfeller of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(05 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid is shown the yellow card by referee Damir Skomina during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(06 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Fabio Coentrao of Real Madrid is challenged by Milos Jojic (L) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(07 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Fabio Coentrao of Real Madrid is challenged by Milos Jojic (L) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(08 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with team mates after scoring his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(09 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund goes past Iker Casillas of Real Madrid on the way to scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(10 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid is closed down by Lukasz Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(11 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund scores the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(12 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus (R) of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring the opening goal with Milos Jojic of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(13 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Juergen Klopp (L), Coach of Borussia Dortmund celebrates the second goal scored by Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(14 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(15 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund gestures after scoring his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(16 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates with team mates after scoring his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(17 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid is closed down Milos Jojic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(18 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Juergen Klopp, Coach of Borussia Dortmund celebrates the second goal scored by Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(19 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund is challenged by Luka Modric (L) and Fabio Coentrao of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(20 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid takes on Oliver Kirch of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(21 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid reacts after missing a chance at goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dortmund's head coach Juergen Klopp is pictured prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, second leg football match Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid CF on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, western Germany. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(23 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund misses a chance at goal as Iker Casillas and Fabio Coentrao of Real Madrid look on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(24 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid takes on Oliver Kirch of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(25 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund misses a chance at goal as goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dortmund's defender Oliver Kirch (C) and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (L) and Real Madrid's midfielder Xabi Alonso (R) vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, second leg football match Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid CF on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, western Germany. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(27 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid tackles Milos Jojic of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(28 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund tackles Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(29 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid closes down by Erik Durm of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(30 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Manuel Friedrich of Borussia Dortmund challenges Karim Benzema of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(31 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund misses a chance at goal as Iker Casillas and Fabio Coentrao of Real Madrid look on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final(32 of33)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 08: Juergen Klopp (L), Coach of Borussia Dortmund celebrates the opening goal scored by Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo shakes hands with fans prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, second leg football match Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid CF on April 8, 2014 in Dortmund, western Germany. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Dortmund had found their second wind though and in the next six minutes Casillas was called on to make to crucial saves to deny Mkhitaryan and Kevin Großkreutz.
The German side continued to throw everything at Madrid in the second half, but they could not find the third goal they needed as Carlo Ancelotti's men held on for a 3-2 aggregate win.