Atletico Madrid eliminated Barcelona. Champions League 3-2 on aggregate, despite losing 2-1 in the second leg of their quarter-final on Tuesday.Barcelona took an early lead in the first 24 minutes through Lamin Yamal and Ferran Torres. However, Ademola Lookman scored for Atletico, which proved enough after their 2-0 win in the first leg.Under Diego Simeone, Atletico reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2017.Barcelona’s hopes of forcing extra time suffered late in the match when defender Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorluth as he raced towards goal.Atletico, who did not win the competition and lost in the final under Simeone in 2014 and 2016, will now face either Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semi-finals.“(We’re) very happy, to knock out a great Barca team. We had a great game … it was very difficult for us at the beginning (of it), but the team knew how to get back on their feet,” Atletico midfielder Koke told Movistar.Barcelona last won the Champions League in 2015, and their wait for another title continues. Midfielder Frankie de Jong said the team is improving despite being out.“I think we played very well, we gave our lives out there, we tried everything,” he said.“I think luck just wasn’t on our side. We’ve got to keep going — we’re on a good path, we’re improving every year.”Barcelona coach Hansi Flick started the attack with Torres and Gavi, leaving Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski on the bench.Barcelona started strongly, Yamal scoring in the fourth minute after Clément Lenglet was forced into a mistake. Torres later doubled the lead in the 24th minute after finishing off Dani Olmo’s pass.Atletico responded in the 31st minute when Marcos Llorente set up Luckman to score.Barcelona thought they had a third goal in the second half through Torres, but it was ruled out for offside.Goalkeeper John Garcia made a save to deny Robin Le Normand, while tensions mounted as Matteo Ruggieri was left bleeding after contact with Gavi.The match turned against Barcelona when Eric Garcia was sent off late in the game. Flick responded by putting Ronald Araujo ahead, but Atlético held on until stoppage time to secure their place in the semi-finals.
