Kamal Ghorui
Atletico Madrid knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg of their quarter-final on Tuesday, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.Barcelona took an early lead through Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres inside the first 24 minutes. However, Ademola Lookman scored for Atletico, which proved enough after their 2-0 win in the first leg.Managed by Diego Simeone, Atletico reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2017.Barcelona’s hopes of forcing extra time were affected late in the match when defender Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth as he ran towards goal.Atletico, who have not won the competition and lost the finals in 2014 and 2016 under Simeone, will now face either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals.“(We’re) very happy, knocking out a great Barca side. We had a great game away… it was really hard for us at the start (of this one), but the team knew how to get back on its feet,” Atletico midfielder Koke told Movistar.Barcelona last won the Champions League in 2015, and their wait for another title continues. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong said the team is improving despite the exit.“I think we had a very good game, we gave our lives out there, we tried everything,” he said.“I feel like luck was not on our side. We have to continue — we’re on a good path, we’re growing every year.”Barcelona coach Hansi Flick started with Torres and Gavi in attack, leaving Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski on the bench.Barcelona began strongly, with Yamal scoring in the fourth minute after pressing Clement Lenglet into an error. Torres later doubled the lead in the 24th minute after finishing a pass from Dani Olmo.Atletico responded in the 31st minute when Marcos Llorente set up Lookman to score.Barcelona thought they had a third goal in the second half through Torres, but it was ruled out for offside.Goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a save to deny Robin Le Normand, while tensions increased as Matteo Ruggieri was left bleeding after contact with Gavi.The match turned further against Barcelona when Eric Garcia was sent off late in the game. Flick responded by pushing Ronald Araujo forward, but Atletico held on through stoppage time to secure their place in the semi-finals.
