NIGERIAN forward Ademola Lookman delivered a decisive performance as Atletico Madrid edged past FC Barcelona in a dramatic Champions League quarter-final, while Paris Saint-Germain powered into the semi-finals with a commanding victory over Liverpool FC.
At the Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico Madrid progressed 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat, surviving a fierce Barcelona comeback in a pulsating encounter.
Barcelona, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, made a dream start when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal pulled one back just five minutes into the match, capitalising on a loose touch from Clement Lenglet to slot past goalkeeper Juan Musso.
The visitors stunned the home crowd further in the 24th minute when Ferran Torres levelled the tie on aggregate, finishing clinically from a Dani Olmo assist with a powerful strike into the top corner.
Barcelona nearly completed a remarkable turnaround moments earlier, but Musso denied Fermin Lopez with a crucial save, keeping Atletico in the contest.
The hosts responded swiftly, and just seven minutes after falling behind on aggregate, Marcos Llorente surged down the right flank before delivering a precise cross that Lookman calmly converted to restore Atletico’s advantage, sending the stadium into wild celebration.
Barcelona thought they had taken the lead on the night early in the second half when Torres volleyed home, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Their task became even harder when Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth, reducing the Catalan side to 10 men.
Despite late pressure, including headers from Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo, Barcelona were unable to find the decisive goal, falling just short of a historic comeback.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone maintained composure throughout, even as the atmosphere reached fever pitch, with fans creating an intimidating environment through pre-match displays and relentless support.
The Spanish side, finalists in 2014 and 2016, will now face either Arsenal FC or Sporting CP in the semi-finals as they chase a long-awaited Champions League triumph.
Meanwhile at Anfield, PSG ended Liverpool’s European campaign with a clinical performance, securing their place in the semi-finals thanks to a brace from Ousmane Dembele.
Holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg, the French champions were made to work by a spirited Liverpool side backed by a raucous home crowd. However, despite improved performance, the hosts failed to find the net over two legs.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot made bold selections, handing Alexander Isak his first start since December and initially leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench.
PSG threatened early, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili making key saves to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembele, who also missed a clear chance in the first half.
Liverpool showed more urgency after the break and were briefly awarded a penalty following a challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, but the decision was overturned after VAR intervention.
PSG eventually broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute when Kvaratskhelia set up Dembele, who unleashed a powerful strike from distance to beat Mamardashvili.
As Liverpool pushed forward desperately, Dembele struck again in stoppage time, tapping in from close range after a pass from Bradley Barcola to seal the victory and extinguish any hopes of a comeback.
The defeat means Liverpool exit the competition without scoring across both legs and face an uncertain battle to secure Champions League qualification for next season.
Despite flashes of promise, particularly in the second half, the English side struggled to test PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov consistently, while the French side proved more clinical and composed over the tie.
For PSG boss Luis Enrique, the victory underlines his team’s status as one of Europe’s strongest contenders, as they now await either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
As the Champions League heads into its decisive stage, Atletico Madrid and PSG emerge as formidable forces, with Lookman’s brilliance and Dembele’s clinical finishing proving decisive on a night of high drama across Europe.