Barcelona's hopes of winning the UEFA Champions League hit a roadblock last night after they were knocked out by Ademola Lookman's Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Soccernet.ng reports.
Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 lead in the first leg at Spotify Camp Nou, courtesy of goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth, although a first-half red card suffered by Pau Cubarsi gave Simeone's men a numerical advantage.
Into the second leg at the Metropolitano, Barca dominated from the first whistle, with Lamine Yamal instigating everything dangerous for Hansi Flick's men.
The 18-year-old winger opened the scoring in the fourth minute, before Ferran Torres levelled the aggregate score twenty minutes later, as it looked like the Catalan giants were set for a Remontada in Madrid.
Barcelona's joy was cut short just seven minutes later. Antoine Griezmann's pass down the right freed Marcos Llorente, and the Spanish midfielder squared the ball for Ademola Lookman to tap home, putting Atletico in front again.
Hansi Flick's side huffed and puffed, but an injury to Fermin Lopez and another red card to Eric Garcia confirmed Simeone will be in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League, where they'll play against Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Have a look at what the fans feel about Barcelona's loss to Atletico Madrid last night, as compiled by Soccernet.ng.
The Champions League isn't won by speech
“Atletico Madrid have knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League three times, and Lookman did that tonight. Nigerian blood knows when to do it,” an Arsenal fan said, throwing shades at the five-time UCL winners.
“There is a difference between ambition and agenda. Real Madrid's ambition is to reach a sixth Champions League final in eleven years, but Barcelona just love a semi-final exit,” another fan opined.
“Lamine scored, and Lookman laughed. Yamal was talking, and Lookman was looking, but when it was time to score, Yamal started looking, the Champions League isn't won by talking.”
Barcelona need to sign Osimhen and Bastoni
“To win the Champions League, we need senior men. If we had Bastoni and Osimhen, Atletico Madrid wouldn't have defeated us. How could we not score a goal at home? Ferran Torres missed so many chances in the first leg, only to turn up yesterday, but it was too late,” Tomide opined.
“Players would always be around Yamal, but the other players are not doing anything. Rashford didn't take his chances, and he's supposed to be Raphinha's replacement,” he concluded.
“Barcelona said the scoreline was unfair, but it could've been much worse; they were so open at the back. You can't play like that in the Champions League, you won't become a Champion,” Chukwuma Henry added.
Atletico Madrid now have a real chance of clinching multiple silverware, having knocked Barcelona out of the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey.
