Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League semi-finals for the primary time since 2016/17 after a 3-2 combination win over Barcelona.
Diego Simeone’s males took a 2-0 lead into the second leg on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, however their benefit was spectacularly worn out inside 25 minutes after targets from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.
A sweeping transfer was then completed off by Ademola Lookman as Atletico saved their nerve to revive their combination benefit and there was little chunk from Barca within the second half, regardless of the introduction of each Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski.
Any closing hopes of a comeback have been extinguished with 11 minutes of the 90 to play, when Eric Garcia was despatched off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth because the final man, with the striker bearing down on aim.
Atletico will face the winner of the tie between Arsenal and Sporting within the semi-finals. The primary leg will happen on April 28 or 29, with the second leg on Could 5 or 6.
How Atletico reached their first Champions League semi-final in 9 years
Talking in a press convention on Monday, Yamal had insisted he and his Barcelona team-mates “must not think of a comeback as a miracle” – and his personal efforts quickly proved that assertion proper.
Lamine Yamal put Barcelona forward on the night time
Inside seconds of the primary whistle, he had pressured goalkeeper Juan Musso to tip his effort across the left-hand put up – and inside 4 minutes, he had scored the opener, pouncing on a Torres cross to slip house.
That made him the youngest participant to report 20 aim involvements in Champions League historical past at 18 years and 275 days previous.
Earlier than lengthy, the LaLiga leaders had levelled the tie. Torres took one contact to convey Dani Olmo’s cross beneath management, a second to create house and a 3rd to emphatically beat Musso from a good angle.
Ferran Torres made it 2-2 on combination
However Atletico quickly reminded them their lead on the night time was simply that and nothing extra. They re-established the combination lead within the tie when Marcos Llorente capped off a sweeping counter by delivering an inch-perfect cross for Lookman to brush in.
Shortly earlier than the hour, Barca thought they’d restored parity as soon as extra when Gavi’s effort was blocked by Clement Lenglet, however looped into the air for Torres to volley into the highest nook. He had, nevertheless, strayed offside.
Ademola Lookman restored Atletico’s combination lead
Rashford and Lewandowski have been launched, however the anticipated onslaught didn’t come. Barcelona had nothing to lose and all the pieces to achieve, even after Garcia was despatched off after referee Clement Turpin had gone to the monitor.
They did get one final likelihood to power additional time deep into stoppage time, however Ronald Araujo headed over the bar, taking Barca’s hopes of a second straight Champions League semi-final with it.
‘Arsenal will nonetheless fancy their probabilities towards Atletico in the event that they beat Sporting’
Kris Boyd talking on Soccer Particular:
“It was about game management for Atletico. We’ve seen Diego Simeone’s teams in the past sit in, be horrible to play against and I don’t think he’s afraid to try and kick you off the pitch – that wasn’t the case tonight.
“It was a efficiency the place you felt as in the event that they have been answerable for the sport and will hit Barcelona on the counter-attack.
“Barcelona’s line is so high and, if you time your runs, you can in against them nearly every time.
“Arsenal would in all probability have been considering they have been going to play Barcelona within the semis. If they will get previous Sporting tomorrow, which you’d anticipate them to do, I anticipate they are going to fancy their possibilities of going by way of.”
Koke: Atletico deserved to win the tie
Atletico Madrid’s Koke speaking to Movistar Plus+:
“We’re completely thrilled, eliminating a crew of Barca’s degree. We struggled initially, however the crew overcame it. The hassle was monumental and we’re deserved winners of the tie.
“I told my team-mates we had to keep going. It’s football, we’re playing at home, the tie was level and we had to attack. We were able to score and even had a few more chances.
“Musso had a wonderful sport, as did Llorente, Julian, Griezmann. That is what we want – to attain from anyplace on the sector to remain in rivalry in all competitions.”
De Jong: Luck wasn’t on our aspect
Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth, high, and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong problem for the ball
Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong talking to UEFA:
“We played a very good match. We gave it our all. I have the feeling that luck wasn’t on our side.
“I feel we’re rising and that we’ve a younger, gifted crew that may compete for all the pieces. We’ll hold going like this.
“It’s never good to be knocked out in the quarter-finals. We want to win it. That doesn’t mean we’re not playing well or that we’re not on the right track. In the Champions League, it comes down to the little things and you need a bit of luck. If we keep playing like this, luck has to go our way at some point.”
