Munster's hopes of winning back to back on France's west coast in the space of a week were quickly snuffed out at the Stade Chaban Delmas.
The Reds are out of the Champions Cup at the quarter-final stage as Top 14 high-flyers Bordeaux produced another impressive display in the competition to set up a last four encounter with Toulouse or Toulon.
The fear was that Munster wouldn't be able to reproduce the brilliant, exhaustive effort in La Rochelle that saw them take out Ronan O'Gara's side by a point last Saturday.
They had winning momentum, but Bordeaux quickly put tries on the board to prevent Munster from getting a foothold in the contest.
Ian Costello's side needed to be nailed on with the basics but their line-out imploded in the first half and Bordeaux's first try originated from a Jack Crowley forward pass that resulted in a scrum for the hosts close to Munster's 22.
Scrum-half Maxime Lucu took off down the blindside, fooling Munster's pack, Pete Samu came away with possession off the base of the scrum, Samu found Yoram Moefana and Mathieu Jalibert kicked in behind for Damian Penaud to open the scoring in the sixth minute.
Bordeaux messed up the restart, Munster earns a scrum and then a penalty when their rivals stray offside, and Crowley made it 5-3 after 10 minutes.
But the Reds' attempts to build momentum are scuppered by lineout troubles and Lucu gleefully scored his side's second try in the 15th minute, after Josh Wycherley failed to hold onto the ball over his own line from Penaud's kick.
The hosts' third try arrived 10 minutes later off a Jalibert chip, Jon Echegeray found Samu and the ultra-talented back row scored, with Jalibert adding the extras for a 22-7 lead.
Munster are in clinging on mode but Bordeaux's fourth try comes in the 35th minute with Echegeray involved again. Louis Bielle-Biarrey can't score, but he finds his full-back and Echegeray makes no mistake. Jalibert nailed the difficult conversion.
But Munster gave themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half-time as Craig Casey found Alex Nankivell from two yards out and the centre, whose suspension was lifted in midweek, scored the Reds' first try.
Crowley's conversion was good and the visitors went in 29-10 down at the break, giving themselves something to work with at the break at least.
Yet again the Reds' lineout let them down as the second half got underway but Bordeaux lost lock Cyril Cazeaux to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Wycherley.
Munster make a mess of another lineout in a great position from Crowley's penalty to the corner, but they did score through Andrew Smith in the 52nd minute off a superb Nankivell pass out wide, and after Tom Farrell's midfield break provided the platform to attack.
Crowley's conversion struck the woodwork but Jean Kleyn was then pinged off the restart for not releasing on the deck and Jalibert's penalty gave Bordeaux a handy response.
Moments later Munster replacement Tom Ahern was yellow carded and, after a try was initially ruled out as being held up, Bordeaux were celebrating again as the TMO review showed that Maxime Lamothe grounded for the five-pointer.
Alex Kendellen was then sent to the sin-bin, leaving Munster down to 13 for a short time, and Bordeaux brought up the 40 point-mark through a Jalibert penalty from close range off a penalty against Tadhg Beirne in the 66th minute.
But the visitors found a way back into the contest with a penalty try two minutes later as Echegeray is the next man in the bin for slapping down a Sean O'Brien pass.
Suddenly Munster had found their mojo, and they scored again in the 72nd minute through Smith as he ran onto a Crowley kick. The out-half added the conversion and suddenly the Reds were 11 points behind.
They kept coming forward and their travelling support sensed a miracle comeback when Cazeaux was shown red for a second yellow card - for another high tackle.
However Munster's hopes were extinguished when player of the match Lucu got to flyer Thaakir Abrahams and just got him into touch, denying the South African a run for the tryline.
And, to put a cap on it, Bielle-Biarrey ran in for his customary try at the other end from Lucu's pass, with the scrum-half nailing a tough conversion to finish the scoring.
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Michael Scully
Munster fans show their support
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 12, 2025"These are beautiful scenes if you're a Munster fan"
It's a special, special bond between @Munsterrugby's players and their travelling support #InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/CPMN1AIU5D
Michael Scully
Munster reaction
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 12, 2025We gave it our all but our Champions Cup campaign comes to an end at the quarter-final stage in Bordeaux.
A huge thanks to our fans for your incredible support once again today.#SUAF | #UBBvMUN pic.twitter.com/yIUXl5ibrY
Michael Scully
Noel McNamara reaction
Bordeaux's attack coach (who hails from Clare) said: "It's good to demonstrate that we made progress on last year, it's a massive prize for us to sit back tomorrow and watch the quarter-final between Toulon and Toulouse and obviously a massive challenge ahead with that, too.
"I think we did play well. I think Ulster were underestimated a little bit last week, that was a really good performance from us in many ways last week, and from Ulster as well.
"For us, a first try off a set-piece is particularly positive. In that first half we were just very clinical, albeit towards the end of it we probably tried to over-complicate things a little bit. We had a couple of things that went our way as well.
"Overall, we gave Munster a little bit of an in with that try just before half-time but by and large a lot of positive intent from the boys, a lot of work-rare and desire and hunger, considering we had a six day turnaround it's something that we have spoken about a lot, ensuring that we were as fresh as possible for a really big challenge here today.
"We're just happy to be in a semi-final and looking forward to watching it tomorrow. The reality is we have Pau at half 2 on Saturday (in the Top 14), which is a huge challenge as well, so there really is no rest.
"We're delighted to be there, we'll take what comes and obviously we watched the other quarter-final last night as well (Leinster's 52-0 demolition of Glasgow), at this stage everybody is really, really daunting but we're delighted to be here, I think it's great progress for the club and really looking forward to attacking the semi-final."
Michael Scully
Bielle-Biarrey try
Any chance Munster still had ended with the new France sensation's try two minutes from time.
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 12, 2025"That's the full stop!"
Louis Bielle-Biarrey with a try that all but guarantees victory for Bordeaux Bègles #InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/bLxG2DWzvM
Michael Scully
The Fields
The Munster travelling support sing The Fields of Athenry in tribute to their side's effort to get to this stage in the competition.
"They can be very proud of that fightback but it wasn't enough on the day," Simon Zebo told Premier Sports. "First half they really struggled to hold onto the ball, they got the fruits of it in the second half when Bordeaux started to tire.
"After that first half Bordeaux probably took their foot off the pedal a little bit. Munster deserve credit for that fight back but if you want to be a top two team in this competition, you can afford to be conceding around 30 points in a game (as Bordeaux did)."
Michael Scully
Pat Lam reacts
The former Connacht head coach, who is now with Bristol, said: "It's good to see a team like Bordeaux in the finals. The way they play is scintillating. Well done."
Michael Scully
Game over
Munster's Champions Cup journey ends in Bordeaux as the home side power into the last four. The victory over La Rochelle was the high point of their season to date and it was always going to be a difficult task to return to France a week later to beat a free-scoring Bordeaux side.
They made a fist of it in the final quarter but they had too much to do to catch their rivals.
Full time score is Bordeaux 47-29. Stay tuned for some reaction from the Stade Chaban Delmas.
KEY EVENT
Bordeaux try
Munster attack again but they win a vital turnover in midfield and the hosts are away, with Lucu finding Bielle-Biarrey on the left wing and the Six Nations' player of the tournament races in for the try.
Tadhg Beirne argues that Munster should have had a penalty instead of the turnover to Bordeaux, but his pleas fall on deaf ears.
That will be that. It's been a mad finish as Munster finally found themselves, but they had left themselves too much to do.
Lucu seals a brilliant performance with a top-class conversion. 47-29 now in the last minute and the home fans sing La Marseillaise.
Michael Scully
Lucu to the rescue
The France scrum-half just got Abrahams into touch after O'Brien did superbly to feed the flying South African. That could have been another Munster try, but not to be.
Munster have a lineout inside the Bordeaux half but time is running out quickly now.
Michael Scully
Bordeaux red!
Wow, lock Cazeaux is red carded for a high tackle that earned him a second yellow. Bordeaux must play with 14 for the remainder - and Munster have Kendellen back on and are back to 15.
Five minutes to go here.
KEY EVENT
Try Munster!
Andrew Smith is in for his second try and Munster's fourth!
40-27 now with less than eight minutes left.
Another excellent move from the Reds as Murray gets them moving in attack and finally they are hurting the Bordeaux defence.
Superb conversion from Crowley, who wasn't helped by Smith not diving closer to the posts. 11 points in it now. Can Munster do it!!???!
Michael Scully
Munster finding gaps
Finally the Reds are motoring and they are back in Bordeaux's 22, with Nankivell making a good break, but Thaakir Abrahams is frustrated that an attempted pass to him goes forward. Scrum Bordeaux.
KEY EVENT
Penalty try Munster...and Bordeaux yellow
Munster muster a rare attack and Jon Echegaray is in trouble with the officials for a deliberate knock-on.
He is yellow carded, the officials review the move as Sean O'Brien's pass is slapped down and it's decided that it's a penalty try, much to Bordeaux's annoyance.
40-22 now in Bordeaux's favour in the 69th minute.
Michael Scully
Penalty Bordeaux
Tadhg Beirne plays the ball on the ground in front of his own posts. It's pretty much a hopeless situation for the visitors now as Jalibert points to the posts, and an easy penalty should bring up the 40 points mark.
He scores and it's 40-15 as Craig Casey makes way for Conor Murray, who is making his final Champions Cup appearance for Munster as it stands.
Ahern has returned from the sin-bin, leaving Munster with 14 men now.
Michael Scully
Bordeaux come close
Penaud was almost in for a second try as Bordeaux pile forward in the maul and a kick into the corner almost reaches the winger. Munster have a let-off but Alex Kendellen, for the second week in a row, is sin-binned after coming on.
They are down to 13 for the time being, with Tom Ahern close to returning.
We're into the 64th minute and Bordeaux are close to the Munster line again.
Michael Scully
Brief stoppage
Craig Casey has been told by the ref that he needs a new plaster on his nose for the game to continue!
Michael Scully
Munster penalty
The Reds hold out as Sean O'Brien, who is off the bench, does well to win a turnover penalty close to his own line.
Michael Scully
Crowley error
The Reds No.10 barely knocks on deep in his own 22 as he chases back to collect a kick, but it's enough and it's a Bordeaux scrum. Great chance for a sixth try here.
KEY EVENT
Try Bordeaux
There is a grounding after all and the hosts extend their lead, which is now 37-15 with 57 minutes gone.
Maxime Lamothe got the score. Jalibert misses the conversion attempt.
Michael Scully
Munster hold them up
Bordeaux's lineout maul drives for the try line but Munster's defence does really well to hold firm and there are a bit of afters.
However there is going to be a TMO check to see if there is a collapsing by Munster - deja vu from last week - and if there's a grounding.
Michael Scully
Penalty Bordeaux
The hosts are almost in but knock on, but we go back for a penalty and Jalibert kicks to the corner.
Michael Scully
Penalty Bordeaux...and Munster sin-binning
Tom Ahern isn't long on but he is sent to the side of the pitch as Bordeaux, who are still down to 14 men, are irresistible in attack via van Rensburg after Crowley's poor pass to Nankivell.
Bordeaux attacking in Munster's 22.
Michael Scully
Bordeaux threaten
With penalty advantage Louis Bielle-Biarrey kicks in behind and Craig Casey kicks to touch, but we go back to the penalty conceded by Jean Kleyn who can't hold the restart, then scambles to collect but doesn't release in the ruck.
Jalibert scores and it's 32-15 now.
Peter O'Mahony has also made way, with Alex Kendellen on. The way this is going, O'Mahony looks set to have played his final game in Europe for the province.
KEY EVENT
Munster try!
Andrew Smith with a brilliant finish to a magnificent move!
Tom Farrell's break in midfield put Munster on the front foot, Alex Nankivell had the vision to fire a pass out to the left wing and Smith, who also scored at La Rochelle, kicked down the line and won the sprint, diving on the ball to score.
Jack Crowley just misses with the conversion.
29-15, 53 minutes.
Michael Scully
Wide...
Another poor kick by the Bordeaux No.10
The score remains 29-10 for the hosts in the 50th minute.
Stephen Archer is on for his 300th Munster cap in place of Oli Jager.
Michael Scully
Penalty Bordeaux
Tadhg Beirne is pinged at the ruck and Mathieu Jalibert is going to kick for the posts.
Michael Scully
Bordeaux penalty
The lineout is the cause of root of Munster's problems again and Bordeaux will have a throw in Munster's half
Michael Scully
Munster penalty
Bordeaux are set for a yellow card as they concede yet another penalty. This time it's Cazeaux again and he is sin-binned. Can Munster take advantage? The penalty is kicked down into the 22 once more.
Bordeaux make a change with Mahamadou Diaby making way for Marko Gazzotti
Michael Scully
Frustration!
Niall Scannell's throw flies over the Munster men in the lineout and Bordeaux can clear. Crazy how many times already the Reds have messed up good opportunities at the set-piece.
Michael Scully
Munster penalty
Bordeaux are offside as Munster do well to hold possession in their opponents' half. Crowley kicks to 5m from the hosts' line.
