Favourites Bayern Munich scraped through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup after a dramatic extra-time away goals win over Getafe.

Getafe played all but six minutes of the game with 10 men but looked to be heading for a famous victory, only for Bayern to twice come back from the dead -- first to force the game into extra time and then to snatch a last-gasp equaliser to level the match 3-3.

Midfielder Cosmin Contra put Getafe ahead with a virtuoso solo goal just before half-time, but just as the home fans were celebrating a memorable upset Bayern midfielder Franck Ribery equalised in the 88th minute.

Getafe went for broke at the start of extra time and goals from midfielder Francisco Casquero and substitute Braulio put them 3-1 up within three minutes.

But striker Luca Toni pulled a goal back for Bayern late on in the second period and struck again at the death to end Getafe's dreams and secure his side a semi-final showdown against Zenit St Petersburg.

The game at the Coliseo got off to a frantic start with Bayern almost going ahead inside the first minute when Toni had a close-range shot cleared off the line.

Five minutes later Getafe suffered a major setback when influential defender Ruben De la Red was sent off for bringing down Bayern striker Miroslav Klose as he bore down on goal.

Getafe were dealt another blow when Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche pulled a hamstring as he tried to chase a long kick up field and was replaced by centre-back David Belenguer.

They weathered the storm, however, and took a shock lead just before the break when Contra picked the ball up on the halfway line, cut in between two defenders and then lashed a fierce shot high into the net.

Visiting Bayern fans reacted violently to the goal by tearing up seats at one end of the stadium before they were quelled by the police.

Getafe should have extended their lead midway through the second half when substitute Braulio sprinted clear and rounded Oliver Kahn only to slip over on the wet turf as he lined up his shot.

They had several more chances to extend their lead late in the second half and paid the price when Ribery snapped home just over a minute from time to force extra time.

Instead of wilting in the face of the disappointment, Getafe piled forward into attack at the start of extra time.

Casquero restored the home side's lead with a wonderful strike from the edge of the area and Braulio hit a third almost straight from the restart.

But Bayern were thrown a lifeline five minutes from the end when Getafe keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri dropped a Mark van Bommel cross at the feet of Toni and the Italian striker fired in from close range.

With time running out keeper Kahn piled forward into the opposition area, disrupted the Getafe defence as he got a touch on the ball and Toni headed in to earn his side a remarkable comeback win.

Reuters