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News Archive

Champions League, quarter finals, second leg

Real Madrid 1 - Atlético Madrid 0

Real Madrid are through to the last four for the fifth year in a row after a late 1-0 victory over Atlético Madrid. The 0-0 draw from the first leg set the scene for the return match, and once again it was a tense physical battle between the two city neighbours. Ancelotti was missing four of his first choice players through injury and suspension, and he surprised everyone fielding Sergio Ramos in a holding midfield role, with Chicharito Hernández getting a rare start up front. Despite the changes though Madrid had most of the play, James firing a free kick over the bar and Oblak pushing a Ronaldo free kick around the post and then saving again from the Portuguese striker when he got free on goal shortly before the break. Atlético were as dangerous as ever from set pieces, although Casillas only had to make one really important save before the break from a Jesús Gámez shot. With a quarter of an hour to go Simeone’s side were left with ten men when Arda Turan picked up a second booking, but it looked as if they would be forcing extra time and a possible penalty shoot-out until James and Ronaldo combined to set up Chicharito for the winner with just two minutes left on the clock. There was no time for Atleti to react, and for the first time in eight meetings this season Madrid came out on top. (22.04.15)

Barcelona 2 - Paris Saint Germain 0

Barcelona are into the semi-finals of the Champions League for the seventh time in the last eight years after a comfortable victory over Paris Saint Germain! Already 1-3 up from the first leg, Luis Enrique’s side went further ahead with just under a quarter of an hour on the clock, Iniesta finishing off a good run by sliding a pass through for Neymar to round the keeper and score. Ibrahimovic had a strike ruled out for a clear offside soon afterwards, but Messi volleyed a shot over the top, and Sirigu had to save from Dani Alves and Neymar before Neymar got on the end of an Alves cross to head home the second. After the restart Verratti fired a shot just wide of the post and Ibrahimovic finally put Ter Stegen to the test with a long effort, but Messi could have increased the lead had his shot not gone just wide of the post in the dying seconds. (21.04.15)