Atletico Madrid Stun Barcelona to Reach Champions League Semifinals

Atletico Madrid has sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League, securing a spot in the semifinals with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite a 2-1 quarterfinal second leg defeat.

Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres fired visitors Barca ahead inside 24 minutes on Tuesday, but Ademola Lookman's strike gave Atletico the edge in the gripping all-Spanish tie once again after their 2-0 win in the first leg.

Diego Simeone's side returned to the semifinals for the first time since 2017 by holding on against the La Liga champions in a compelling and bloody battle. Barcelona ended the game with 10 men as Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth as he ran in on goal, hampering their chance of finding a third goal to force extra time.

Atletico, who have never won the competition and lost the 2014 and 2016 finals with Simeone at the helm, will face Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semifinals.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick benched forwards Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski for workhorses Torres and Gavi, looking to press Atletico relentlessly in the sixth match between these sides this season.

Lamine Yamal fired the visitors ahead after just four minutes when he harried Clement Lenglet into giving the ball away. Torres nudged it back to Yamal, who slipped a low shot through Musso's legs to hush the home fans and ignite Barca's attempted comeback bid.

Barcelona doubled their lead in the 24th minute to level the tie on aggregate when Torres left Lenglet trailing, reached Olmo's pass and fired across Musso into the top corner.

Atletico pulled their way back into the game in the 31st minute after Barca switched off defensively for the first time. Marcos Llorente charged down the right behind the Catalans' high defensive line and crossed for Lookman to convert.

The game spun away from Barca when Eric Garcia was sent off for clipping Sorloth's heels as he ran through on goal, similar to Pau Cubarsi's red card in the first leg.

Flick threw centre-back Ronald Araujo up front for the final stages, but there was no way back, and Atletico gritted their teeth through eight minutes of stoppage time before the celebrations could begin.