Atlético Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate to advance to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
Diego Simeone’s side led 2-0 in the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, but goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres erased their advantage within 25 minutes.
Then, despite bringing on both Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski, the bold move was stopped by Ademola Lookman as Atlético remained nervous to regain their all-out advantage, with little Barça attacking in the second half.
With 11 minutes remaining, any hopes of a comeback were gone. Eric Garcia, who was the last man to beat Alexander Soros, was sent off and the striker went close to scoring.
Atlético will face the winner of the draw between Arsenal and Sporting in the semi-finals. The first leg will be held on April 28th or 29th, and the second leg on May 5th or 6th.
How Atlético reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in nine years
In Monday’s press conference, Yamal insisted that he and his Barcelona teammates “shouldn’t think of their comeback as a miracle,” but his own efforts soon vindicated that statement.
Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead on the night
Within seconds of the first whistle, he forced goalkeeper Juan Musso to curl a shot near the left post, and within four minutes he dived into Torres’ path and into the goal for the opening goal.
This made him the youngest player in Champions League history to be involved in 20 goals, at 18 years and 275 days old.
Eventually, the La Liga leaders caught up with the score. Torres controlled Dani Olmo’s pass with one touch, created space in the second, and smashed Musso from an angle in the third.
Ferran Torres made it 2-2 on aggregate.
But Atlético quickly reminded them that their lead on the night was just that, nothing more. Marcos Llorente supplied a superb cross for Lookman to push in, capping off a thorough counter and re-establishing the lead on aggregate with the score level.
Shortly before this time, Barça looked to have equalized again when Gabi’s shot was blocked by Clement Lenglet, but his looping shot allowed Torres to curl a volley into the top corner. However, he veered offside.
Ademola Lookman restores Atlético’s total lead
Rashford and Lewandowski were introduced, but the onslaught that had been hoped for did not materialize. Barcelona had nothing to lose and everything to gain, even after Garcia was sent off for referee Clement Turpin’s monitor.
There was a last chance to force extra time until the end of stoppage time, but Ronald Araujo’s header went over the bar, ending Barça’s hopes of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the second year in a row.
“Arsenal are still keen on a possible match against Atletico if they win against Sporting.”
Chris Boyd talks about soccer special:
“It was about Atletico’s game management. I think in the past we’ve seen Diego Simeone’s teams sit down and have teams that are terrible to play against, and I think he’s not afraid to try to run us off the pitch, but tonight that wasn’t the case.
“It was a performance that felt as if they were in control of the game and could set up Barcelona’s counter-attack.
“Barcelona’s lines are very high and if you time your runs well you can counter them almost every time.
“Arsenal probably thought they would play Barcelona in the semi-final. If they can beat Sporting tomorrow, which is understandable, they will be dreaming of a chance to break through.”
Koke: Atlético deserve a draw
Atlético Madrid’s Koke told Movistar Plus+:
“I’m really excited to beat a team of Barça’s level. We struggled at the beginning, but the team overcame it. The effort was great and we deserved the winners of the draw.”
“I told my teammates we have to keep going. This is football. We’re playing at home and the score was tied so we had to attack. We were able to score and we had some chances.
“Musso had a great game, as did Llorente, Julian and Griezmann. That’s what we need. To stay in contention in all competitions, we need to score from everywhere on the field.”
De Jong: “Luck wasn’t on my side”
Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth (top) and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong challenge the ball
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong told Movistar Plus+:
“I played a very good game. I gave it my all. I feel like luck wasn’t on my side.”
“We’re growing and I think we have a young, talented team that can take on everything. We’re going to keep going.”
“It’s never good to be eliminated in the quarter-finals. We want to win. It doesn’t mean we’re not playing well or that we’re not on the right track. In the Champions League, little things happen and you need a little bit of luck. If we keep playing like this, luck will be on our side eventually.”
