News Archive

Champions League, round of 16, second leg

Barcelona 3 - Arsenal 1

Defending champions Barcelona will join Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid in Friday’s quarter final draw after they beat Arsenal 3-1 in a rainy Nou Camp on Wednesday. Luis Enrique’s side were already two up from the first leg, but Welbeck, Özil and Elneny all went close early on as the visitors looked to get back in the tie. Soon afterwards though Messi brought the save of the evening from Ospina after picking up a long ball from Neymar, and a couple of minutes later Neymar put the locals further ahead after Luis Suárez set him up. Both teams had chances leading up to half time, and six minutes after the restart Elneny levelled it on the night with a shot from the edge of the area. However Luis Suárez put the Catalans back in front with a spectacular volley, and although Welbeck hit the woodwork and Ter Stegen had to save from Alexis and Giroud, Messi rounded things off scooping a shot over Ospina near the end. (16.03.16)

Atlético Madrid 0 - PSV Eindhoven 0 (8-7 penalty shoot out)

Atlético Madrid are through to the quarter finals after beating PSV Eindhoven in the penalty shoot out! Despite the scoreline this was a vibrant match, Zoet making a couple of vital saves from Griezmann before the break, and Van Ginkel going close a couple of times for Cocu’s side in reply. Soon after the restart Oblak had to push a shot from Locadia on to the post, and Zoet had to keep out Augusto Fernández and Filipe Luis. The introduction of Fernando Torres livened things up, the veteran striker chipping a shot over the top and then seeing Zoet push another effort on to the bar. With scores level though the tie went in to extra time and then penalties, and after fourteen in a row went in, Narsingh fired his kick against the bar, and Juanfran converted the next one to take Simeone’s team through. Not that this was unusual though, as Atleti qualified on penalties against Bayer Leverkusen at this stage of the competition last season as well! (15.03.16)