Atletico Madrid has reached the Champions League semifinals for the first time since the 2016/2017 season, following a thrilling 3-2 aggregate victory over Barcelona. Diego Simeone's team took a 2-0 lead into the second leg, but Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback, with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres within the first 25 minutes.
However, Atletico regained their composure and restored their aggregate advantage through Ademola Lookman's well-crafted goal. The match took a decisive turn when Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth, leaving Barcelona with little hope of a comeback. Atletico will now face the winner of the tie between Arsenal and Sporting in the semifinals. The first leg is scheduled for April 28 or 29, with the second leg on May 5 or 6.
Lamine Yamal's impressive performance saw him become the youngest player to record 20 goal involvements in Champions League history at just 18 years and 275 days old. Despite a strong start from Barcelona, Atletico's experience and game management ultimately paid off, as they demonstrated their ability to control the game and capitalize on counter-attacks.
The victory has sparked optimism among Atletico's players, with Koke expressing his team's excitement and relief at having overcome a tough opponent. Meanwhile, Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong conceded that luck was not on their side, but remains confident in his team's potential to compete at the highest level.