MADRID – Ademola Lookman scored the decisive goal that sent Atletico Madrid into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, as Diego Simeone’s side overcame Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Barcelona raced into a 2-0 lead on the night to level the tie after just 24 minutes, with Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres both scoring to cancel out last week’s 2-0 first-leg deficit. Yamal opened the scoring in the fourth minute after intercepting a pass from Clement Lenglet and slotting through Juan Musso’s legs. Torres then drilled home a left-footed strike in the 24th minute from Dani Olmo’s defence-splitting pass.
Atletico responded seven minutes later when Marcos Llorente delivered a cross from the right and Lookman met it first time, restoring Atletico’s aggregate advantage with a sharp finish in the 31st minute. “But despite all his heroics in helping fire Barca back level, it was Ademola Lookman who eventually broke their hearts to set-up a semi with Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon,” the report said.
The Nigerian forward’s strike proved the knockout blow, as Barcelona were unable to find another breakthrough in the second half. Eric Garcia was shown a straight red card in the 79th minute for bringing down Alexander Sorloth, leaving ten-man Barcelona to exit the competition 3-2 on aggregate.
Atletico secured their spot in the semi-finals with a display of resilience against a formidable Barcelona side, who had capitalised on a fast-paced first half to level the tie within the first 25 minutes. “Ademola Lookman’s goal was a blow to Barcelona’s hopes and handed control back to Atleti, who then managed to keep one of Europe’s most potent attacks at bay,” UEFA match reporter Juan Díaz said.
Lookman started the match and played 65 minutes before being replaced by Nico González. He had one drive that whistled just off target in the second half after a surge from Julian Alvarez. The 28-year-old has now scored eight goals in 21 Champions League appearances.
The goal was Lookman’s first Champions League strike for Atletico since his January move from Atalanta. “It shows the work everyone’s been doing and the togetherness,” Lookman said after Atletico’s first-leg 2-0 win at Camp Nou last week. He added: “Scoring after they had a man sent off, that was key as well. Brilliant free-kick from Julián, and also the timing of Alex’s goal in the second half was good.”
Atletico have now won all three of their Champions League quarter-final ties against Barcelona. It marks the club’s first Champions League semi-final appearance since the 2016-17 season. Diego Simeone’s side will now await the winner of the tie between Arsenal and Sporting CP, with the Gunners holding a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg.
