Barcelona out! Dumped out of European Champions League by Athletico Madrid

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Atletico Madrid master class defense leads to 2-0 second leg victory over Barcelona (3-2 agg)

'Antoine Griezmann double dumps favourites Barca out as Lionel Messi and Co draw a blank'
The Athletico win gives Spain two of the semi-finalists in this edition of the competition as they join Manchester City (Eng), Bayern Munich (Germany) and Real Madrid (Sp) in the last four

• Antoine Griezmann gave Atletico Madrid the lead when he headed Saul Niguez's clever cross into the top corner 

• Luis Enrique's Barcelona only managed one shot on target in the first half as the organised Atletico shut them out

• Griezmann made it 2-0 from the penalty spot three minutes from time after Andres Iniesta had handled in the box

• Barcelona led 2-1 from the first leg at the Nou Camp where Fernando Torres scored and was sent off for the visitors

Having been favourites to become the first side to defend the Champions League, Barcelona were sent crashing out at the quarter-final stage by La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. Antoine Griezmann's first-half header and a penalty three minutes from time settled a pulsating tie that saw Diego Simeone's side progress to the last four with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Atletico delivered a tactical masterclass in the opening 45 minutes as Barcelona struggled to create chances against one of the most regimented teams in European football before Griezmann turned Saul Niguez's clever cross past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give the hosts the crucial goal. Griezmann sealed victory for Atletico from the spot in the closing stages after Andres Iniesta handled in the box as the home side threatened on the break.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is lifted in the air during the celebrations after heading the hosts into the lead

France international Griezmann powered a header past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to put Atletico ahead

The Atletico Madrid players mobbed goalscorer Griezmann after his header put the home side into the lead at Vicente Calderon

A dejected Luis Suarez pulls his shirt over his mouth as he waits to restart the game after Griezmann's goal

Griezmann sealed the victory for Atletico Madrid three minutes from time when he rolled a penalty past the Barcelona goalkeeper

The 25-year-old leads the celebrations with team-mate Koke (right) after putting Atletico 3-2 ahead on aggregate

MATCH FACTS

ATLETICO XI: Oblak, Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Filipe Luis, Augusto (Savic 93), Gabi, Saul, Koke, Griezmann (Correa 90), Carrasco (Partey 74)

Subs not used: Moya, Gamez, Kranevitter, Vietto

Scorer: Griezmann 36, 88

Booked: Gabi, Godin, Correa, Koke

BARCELONA XI: Ter Stegen, Alves (Sergi Roberto 64), Mascherano, Pique, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic (Arda Turan 64), Iniesta, Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Subs not used: Bravo, Douglas, Bartra, Adriano, El Haddadi

Booked: Suarez, Neymar, Iniesta, Turan

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

The Atletico Madrid supporters were in good voice at the Vicente Calderon and made it a hostile atmosphere for visiting BarcelonaAtletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone, revered in these parts for his achievements in recent years, arrives to take his seat in the dugout

Tricky Barcelona forward Neymar looks to set the visitors on the attack as Atletico midfielder Augusto Fernandez attempts to challengeAtletico Madrid forward Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (right) and Barca left back Jordi Alba raise their boots to try and win the ball

Lionel Messi (left) chases down the ball but the Argentinian is hounded by Atletico Madrid's French defender Lucas

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez (right) attempts to nutmeg 20-year-old defender Lucas as Barca struggle to penetrate during the first half

 

Andres Iniesta is crowded out by Atletico midfielders Saul Niguez (centre) and Gabi as the home side suffocate the space for Barca

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul attempts to evade the attentions of Barca left back Alba (left) and Iniesta (right)Messi, who was in the midst of his longest run without a goal for almost five years, send a free-kick harmlessly over the crossbar

Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen ends up in a heap on the turf after diving in vain to his left in a desperate attempt to keep it out

Griezmann, 25, celebrates his goal by cradling his arms in reference to recent birth of a baby daughter

Atletico manager Simeone has a smile etched across his face after seeing his side take control of the quarter-final tie

Luis Suarez barely had a kick in the first half demonstrating perfectly Barcelona's struggles – Click here for more from Match Zone

Atletico Madrid captain Diego Godin (right) tumbles under pressure from his Uruguay team-mate Suarez as Barca look for a route backSaul almost doubled Atletico's lead with a looping header that beat Ter Stegen but bounced off the crossbar and safe

Iniesta carries the ball forward as Barcelona look to turn up the heat on the Atletico defence in the second half

Courtesy: mail

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