European Champions League

Atlético Madrid 2 - Barcelona 0

Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Lucas Hernández, Filipe Luis; Saúl Ñíguez, Gabi, Augusto Fernández (Savic 93’), Koke; Griezmann (Correa 90‘), Carrasco (Thomas 74‘). 4-4-2.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves (Sergi Roberto 64‘), Piqué, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Rakitic (Arda Turan 64‘), Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar. 4-3-3.

Goals:
1-0. 36. Griezmann. Steered header wide of Ter Stegen after Saúl crossed in.
2-0. 88. Griezmann (penalty). After Iniesta handled the ball inside the area.

Barcelona are out of the Champions League! Luis Enrique’s side were beaten 2-0 by fellow Spaniards Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, and their quest to become the first club to defend the title is already over! Needing at least a goal to overturn the 2-1 scoreline from the first leg, the locals came out strongly, Ter Stegen having to save from Carrasco and Griezmann, and Gabi firing a shot over the bar. Mascherano had a shot blocked and Messi struck a free kick over the top in reply, but with ten minutes to go to the break Griezmann got above his marker to head a a Saúl Ñíguez centre past the keeper. After the interval Saúl looped a header on to the bar and Griezmann tested Ter Stegen again, but otherwise the visitors did all the attacking, Oblak in particular making first class saves from Iniesta and Luis Suárez. However with three minutes to go Griezmann got his second of the night from the penalty spot after Iniesta cut out a Filipe Luis pass with his arm, meaning Barça had to score to take the tie into extra time. They could have done so had Italy’s Nicola Rizzoli not turned down a last minute penalty claim after Gabi handled in the area, the referee adjudging the foul to have taken place just outside of the box, and when Messi’s free kick went wide of the mark it was all over. Atleti had knocked their opponents out of the competition for the second time in three years, and Simeone was a very proud man!