Atletico Survive Barcelona Scare to Reach UCL Semis on Aggregate
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| Lookman tap-in sends Atletico past Barca despite loss |
Ademola Lookman's goal sent Atletico Madrid into the UCL semi-finals despite a 2-1 loss to Barcelona. Barca set unwanted record with 15 straight games no clean sheet.
Lookman goal Decisive as Atletico Madrid edge Barca in thrilling tie to reach semi-finals...
Atletico Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat to Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in their quarter-final tie.
Atleti goalkeeper Juan Musso was called into action after just 33 seconds, diving full-stretch to his right to keep out Lamine Yamal’s curling effort.
Atleti go through 🔴⚪#UCL pic.twitter.com/g9UmbjRgaG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 14, 2026
In the fourth minute, a defensive mix-up from the hosts allowed Ferran Torres to slip in an unmarked Lamine, who slotted Barca ahead.
Tension was high around the arena as Barca started to dominate possession. After another error, this time from Koke, Torres rifled a superb left-foot strike into the top corner to level the tie on aggregate.
Barely a minute later, Fermin Lopez should have made it three but headed straight at Musso. The keeper’s stray boot then cut Fermin’s face, causing a lengthy stoppage.
Soon after play resumed, Atleti’s Ademola Lookman scored a simple tap-in. The goal meant Barca became the first team in UCL history to go 15 consecutive games without a clean sheet.
A similar pattern emerged at the start of the second half, with Atleti dropping much deeper into a back-five system and looking to break quickly with balls over the top.
More Barca pressure saw Ferran volley home instinctively, only for VAR to rule it out for offside, sparking wild celebrations in the stands.
The visitors stayed on the front foot, with Lamine central to everything. But as the game wore on, Atleti looked increasingly likely to progress.
Joan Garcia’s point-blank save from Robin Le Normand kept Barca in the tie, before Eric Garcia was sent off for a professional foul with just over 10 minutes left to play.
Atleti are semi-finalists 🔴⚪#UCL pic.twitter.com/NggKVOanmS
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 14, 2026
The final moments saw an all-out attack from the visitors, but it wasn’t enough to force extra time.
The result maintains Atletico Madrid’s remarkable record of never failing to progress in the UCL knockout stages after winning the first leg away from home - 22 attempts.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have now lost seven of their last 10 UCL quarter-final ties and are left to focus on wrapping up the LaLiga title.
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