Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres scored in an early Barcelona resurgence, but Ademola Lookman’s finish proved the decisive goal as Atleti earned progress in Madrid.
Ademola Lookman celebrates with his Atleti team-mates
Ademola Lookman answered Barcelona’s early fightback to send Atleti through to their first UEFA Champions League semi-final since 2017.
Match in brief: Lookman finish undoes Barcelona fightback
Barcelona made an electric start – Lamine Yamal weaving his magic to test Juan Musso within a minute – and had their reward in the fourth minute when their No10 rolled through Musso’s legs after winning the ball off Clément Lenglet and racing onto a Ferran Torres pass.
A big chance for Antoine Griezmann in the 22nd minute signalled greater balance in the contest, but three clinical Ferran Torres touches then brought the visitors level in the tie, the first two taking him away from Lenglet before the third found the top-right corner.
There would be another twist in the tale before half-time, though, Ademola Lookman converting Marcos Llorente’s low cross in the 31st minute to push Atleti back in front.
The second-half story was more straightforward, Atleti settling into a defensive block which Barcelona continuously probed but could not unlock.
Eric García’s 80th-minute dismissal for a foul on Alexander Sørloth further dented hopes of a late surge but Barcelona nonetheless came close through Ronald Araújo’s header late in stoppage time.
Line-ups
Atleti: Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone (Álex Baena 66), Llorente, Koke (Cardoso 89), Lookman (González 66); Griezmann (Sørloth 76), Alvarez
Barcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Eric García, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo (Ronald Araújo 89); Pedri, Gavi (De Jong 81); Yamal, Fermín López (Rashford 68), Olmo (Bardghji 89); Ferran Torres (Lewandowski 68)
