Wednesday
night was a defining night in the seasons of Atletico Madrid and Bayern
Munich as they advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions
League.
Barcelona led 2-1 from the first leg at the Nou Camp where Fernando Torres scored and was sent off for the visitors
Atletico Madrid shocked Barca by defeating them 2-0 through goals from Frenchman Antoinne Griezmann at the Vicente Calderon.
Barcelona's
heavyweight attacking trio Messi, Suares and Neymar were kept quiet and
toothless all through the game by Atletico's defenders inspired by well
thought out tactical coaching by head coach Diego Simeone.
Antoine
Griezmann gave Atletico Madrid the lead when he headed Saul Niguez's
cross into the top corner with Barca onlyn managing to shoot 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 touched the ball in the penalty box making their qualification
to the next stage, all but secure.
Benfica 2-2 Bayern
Bayern
came into the UEFA quarterfinal tie with a 1-0 lead at home and had to
avoid defeat to Benfica in Portugal, which they did after playing an
entertaining 2-2 draw with Benfica.
Raul Jimenez opened
the scoring with a brave header to level the tie on aggregate in the
first-half then Chilean Arturo Vidal, who scored in the first-leg,
rifled home the equaliser for an all-important away goal. There was
still more action to come as Germany star Thomas Muller then put his
side in front after meeting Javi Martinez's knock down before Benfica's
Brazilian player Talisca set up a goal with an exquisite free-kick to
equalise for the Portuguese. But it wasn't enough for the portuguese
Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich will now join Man City and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi finals.
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