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Lookman strike sends Atletico Madrid into Champions League semi-fiinals

Published

32 minutes ago

April 15, 2026

Victor Okoye

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman’s 31st-minute goal on Tuesday night secured Atletico Madrid’s aggregate victory over Barcelona, sending Diego Simeone’s side into the Champions League semi-finals.

Our correspondent reports that Atletico reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2016/2017 season after edging Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.

Simeone’s men held a 2-0 first-leg lead, but Barcelona erased the advantage within 25 minutes through Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.

A fine team move restored Atletico’s lead, with Lookman finishing calmly, as the hosts maintained composure in spite of Barcelona’s early surge.

Barcelona showed little attacking threat in the second half, even after introducing Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski.

Hopes of a comeback ended late when Eric Garcia was sent off for fouling Alexander Sorloth as the last defender.

Atletico will now face either Arsenal or Sporting in the semi-finals, with first-leg matches scheduled for April 28 or 29.

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