MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 08:04:31| >> :120:14867:14867:
[monks data]
Atletico Madrid logo
Champions League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 9, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-0

Koke (6')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Koke strike knocks out Barcelona

An early goal from Koke secures Atletico Madrid a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of La Liga rivals Barcelona.

An early goal from Koke was enough for Atletico Madrid to book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, beating Barcelona 2-1 on aggregate.

Atletico Madrid's Koke celebrates with team mate David Villa after scoring the opening goal against Barcelona during their Champions League quarter final match on April 9, 2014© AFP

The home side looked strong from the start, and managed to edge ahead after just six minutes when Koke slotted the ball home from an Adrian header forwards.

David Villa came close to adding a second just a couple of minutes later when Jose Pinto was slow to clear from in front of his own goal, but the Barcelona keeper just managed to clear the danger in time.

Atletico Madrid's Koke celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Barcelona during their Champions League quarter final match on April 9, 2014© AFP

Villa looked sharp throughout the opening period, rattling the goal posts three times inside the first 20 minutes.

Andres Iniesta created a couple of half-chances for the visitors, while Lionel Messi headed wide from a Dani Alves cross, but the La Liga champions could not get back on level terms before the break.

Thibaut Courtois had to be sharp at the start of the second half as Xavi set up Neymar for the shot, but the on-loan keeper was able to deny the Brazilian.

Xavi continued to provide a threat for Barcelona, but headed just wide from close range on the hour mark.

Atletico believed that they should have had a penalty inside the final 20 minutes, but Howard Webb waved away away Villa's appeals after he appeared to be brought down by Javier Mascherano.

Both sides pressed hard in the final 10 minutes as the hosts tried to put the win beyond doubt, while Barcelona attempted to force extra time.

The visitors won a corner in the final minutes, but Jordi Alba lost out to Juanfran, who cleared the danger for Atletico.

Pedro tried to cross the ball back in for Barcelona, but it was comfortably claimed by Courtois, before Pinto had to make a stop at the other ends moments later, denying Cristian Rodriguez and sealing the Madrid side's place in the last four.

ID:149044: cacheID:149044:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5491:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Atletico Madrid's Koke celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Barcelona during their Champions League quarter final match on April 9, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Koke gives Atletico lead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Aston Villa33009
2Liverpool33009
3Man City32107
4B. Leverkusen32107
5Brest32107
6Inter Milan32107
7Monaco32107
8Sporting Lisbon32107
9Arsenal32107
10Real Madrid32016
11Lille32016
12Feyenoord32016
13Barcelona32016
14Dortmund32016
15Benfica32016
16Juventus32016
17Atalanta31205
18Stuttgart31114
19Sparta Prague31114
20PSG31114
21Celtic31114
22Dinamo Zagreb31114
23AC Milan31023
24Bayern31023
25Girona31023
26Brugge31023
27Atletico31023
28PSV30212
29Bologna30121
30Shakhtar30121
31RB Leipzig30030
32Sturm Graz30030
33Salzburg30030
34Red Star30030
35Young Boys30030
36Slovan Bratislava30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!