Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in nine years despite a 2-1 home defeat by Barcelona in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday, advancing 3-2 on aggregate after their 2-0 first-leg win at the Camp Nou. Barca struck twice in the first half to level the tie through Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres but Ademola Lookman’s strike gave Atlético the edge in the all Spanish affair.
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Atletico Madrid took a firm grip on their Champions League quarter-final as goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth earned a 2-0 first-leg victory over 10-man Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Barcelona dominated proceedings, but Atletico’s rock-solid defence combined with swift counter-attacks paid off after Pau Cubarsi was sent off for hauling down Giuliano Simeone in the 42nd minute as the last man.
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Gianluca Prestianni will not be available for Benfica’s Champions League playoff at Real Madrid on Wednesday night after Uefa suspended him following allegations that he racially abused Vinícius Júnior during the first leg. The one‑game ban is a provisional measure as an investigation continues. Benfica have said they will appeal and regret being “deprived” of the winger, but the club admitted they did not expect to be able to prevent the 20-year-old Argentinian from missing the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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Chelsea winger Estevao Willian outshone fellow teenage superstar Lamine Yamal in a sensational 3-0 home win over 10-man Barcelona in the Champions League. Estevao, 18, scored a stunning second goal after Barcelona went down to 10 men – skipper Ronald Araujo sent off for a second booking just before the break. A Jules Kounde own goal had given Chelsea the lead and the Blues controlled proceedings with Liam Delap adding a third.
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Kylian Mbappé is seeking €263 million from Paris Saint-Germain, claiming unpaid wages and damages, while his former club is demanding €240 million as compensation for his failed transfer to Al-Hilal. The long running financial dispute finally reached a Paris labour court today however it is expected it will take several weeks before a decision is reached.
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