Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman was the hero on the night as Atlético Madrid knocked out 10-man FC Barcelona to reach the Champions League semi-finals, progressing 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat in Tuesday’s quarter-final second leg.
Barcelona raced into a two-goal lead inside 24 minutes through Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, levelling the tie on aggregate after Atlético’s 2-0 first-leg win. However, Lookman’s crucial strike restored Atlético’s overall advantage in a gripping all-Spanish encounter.
Diego Simeone’s side held firm under pressure to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2017, surviving a fiercely contested and physical clash at the Metropolitano.
Barcelona’s hopes of forcing extra time suffered a major blow late on when defender Eric García was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sørloth as he raced through on goal.
Atlético, still chasing their first Champions League title after final defeats in 2014 and 2016, will face either Arsenal FC or Sporting CP in the semi-finals.
“We’re very happy to knock out a great Barca side,” Atlético captain Koke told Movistar. “It was really difficult at the start, but the team showed character to recover.”
Barcelona, who last won the competition in 2015, saw their wait for a sixth European crown continue. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong remained optimistic despite the exit.
“We gave everything and tried everything,” he said. “Luck was not on our side, but we are on the right path and improving each year.”
Barca coach Hansi Flick opted for energy and pressing, starting Torres and Gavi ahead of Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski.
The visitors made a blistering start. Goalkeeper Juan Musso denied Yamal inside the opening minute, but the teenage winger struck soon after, capitalising on a mistake by Clément Lenglet to slot home.
Barcelona doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Torres raced onto a pass from Dani Olmo and fired into the top corner, putting Atlético under serious pressure.
Musso kept the hosts alive with key saves, including a vital stop that left Fermín López bloodied after a collision.
Atlético responded in the 31st minute as Marcos Llorente surged forward and set up Lookman, who finished to swing the momentum back in the hosts’ favour.
Barcelona thought they had regained control early in the second half when Torres volleyed home, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Tensions escalated as challenges flew in, with Matteo Ruggeri left bleeding after an aerial clash with Gavi.
The decisive moment came when Eric García was dismissed for a last-man foul on Sørloth, leaving Barcelona a man down in the closing stages.
Flick threw Ronald Araújo forward in a desperate bid to force extra time, but Atlético held on through eight minutes of stoppage time to seal a dramatic passage into the semi-finals.
AFP
