How Atletico disarmed Inter to seal C/ League quarter-final spot
Atletico Madrid prevailed in a penalty shootout to oust Inter Milan and progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Federico Dimarco opened the scoring in the 33rd minute to double Inter’s aggregate advantage, before Antoine Griezmann quickly halved the deficit on his return from injury.
Inter looked set to hold onto their slender lead, but they could not stop Memphis Depay from finding the net in the 87th minute to send the tie to extra time.
With neither team able to find a winner in extra time, a Champions League tie was settled by penalties for a second night in a row.
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Atletico dispatched three of their four spot-kicks, while last season’s runners-up could only convert twice from five penalties, ensuring the hosts sealed their place in the last eight for the second time in three seasons.
Inter travelled to the Spanish capital off the back of 13 consecutive victories, including a narrow 1-0 win in February’s first leg against Atleti.
Despite enjoying a sensational run of form, the Nerazzurri knew they would have their work cut out to get the better of an Atletico side that had lost just one of their previous 31 competitive home games prior to the second leg.
Samuel Lino threatened to open the scoring inside the opening five minutes, unleashing a left-foot strike to force Yann Sommer to make a save low down to his left.
Sommer’s opposite number Jan Oblak was then called into action to make two strong saves in quick succession to keep Denzel Dumfries at bay.
Not long after, the Atltico goalkeeper was required to quickly back-peddle and stop Lautaro Martinez from finding the net with the help of a wicked deflection off Alex Witsel.
In a gripping opening half-hour, it was then the turn for Alvaro Morata to go close, as he rose high to meet Mario Hermoso’s lofted cross, only to see Sommer comfortably gather his headed effort.
Ultimately, it was the visitors who found the breakthrough, with Dimarco slotting home from Nicolo Barella’s neat pass to round off an incisive move.
However, Inter’s two-goal aggregate lead lasted just two minutes before Griezmann netted his 18th goal of the season.
Benjamin Pavard’s sliced clearance ricocheted off Alessandro Bastoni and into the path of Griezmann, who quickly swivelled to send the ball beyond Sommer.
Griezmann was presented with the chance to pull Atleti level in the opening stages of the second period, but he could find no way past Sommer after being teed up by Marcos Llorente.
As the contest entered the final 15 minutes, the Serie A leaders spurned a couple of chances to put the tie beyond doubt.
Marcus Thuram blazed over from a promising position, before Barella fired straight at Oblak following a swift counter-attack.
Inter were ultimately left to rue those missed chances when Depay restored parity just moments after thumping the inside of the post.
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The Dutchman collected Koke’s pass with his left foot and unleashed a driven shot with his right to register his first Champions League goal of the season.
With momentum in Atleti’s favour, Rodrigo Riquelme looked destined to score a 93rd-minute winner, but he could only send his golden opportunity into the stands.
Depay went closest to finding a winner in stoppage time, with the Dutchman drawing a fine save from Sommer after latching onto Riquelme’s low cross.
Sommer made another impressive stop in the subsequent penalty shootout, but it ultimately proved to be in vain, as Oblak made two crucial saves before Martinez blazed over the final spot-kick.
Atleti’s penalty-shootout success ensures Spain will have three representatives in the quarter-finals, while Inter’s exit means there will be no Italian side in the last eight.
Thierry Henry is hailed as the ‘BEST Arsenal player ever’
Thierry Henry drove Arsenal’s young youth players crazy on Tuesday after appearing among them at the Emirates for the Champions League match against Porto.
The Frenchman is a Gunners legend and even has a statue erected outside the Emirates in his honour, but the youth stars had the chance to meet the icon first-hand.
Arsenal ended their 14-year wait to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals by overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit and inflicting an agonizing defeat on Portuguese rivals Porto.
Goalkeeper David Raya’s penalty shootout heroics ensured the hosts progressed to the next stage of Europe’s premier club competition alongside Manchester City, and the young fans were treated to a special moment with Henry.
The 46-year-old was covering the match for American broadcaster CBS and as he entered the stadium he was mobbed by Arsenal’s youth stars.
A shocked crowd of junior team players screamed in amazement and stood in awe as Henry interacted and high-fived each of them as he walked up some stairs.
Amid the audible gasps, one of the boys began shouting: “Arsenal’s greatest player ever.” You are my favorite Arsenal player.
Henry seemed delighted with the interaction and smiled as he stopped to interact with his new fans as they followed him through the inner workings of the Emirates.
The touching moment has since gone viral on social media and Arsenal fans have shared their delight at seeing the club icon have time off for upcoming players.
One Gunners fan posting on “He has been raised very well.”
Another hilariously added: “I’m sitting here, aging into my 30s, incredibly jealous of these little kids.”
A third similarly agreed, saying: “That’s how you know Henry’s juice never runs out these kids were probably born after he retired.”
The legendary striker scored 228 goals in 337 appearances for the north London club, winning two Premier League and three FA Cup titles.