By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 15, 2026

Ademola Lookman was the decisive figure as Atletico Madrid booked their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat to FC Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Atlético progressed on aggregate, with Lookman’s crucial first-half strike proving decisive in a tense encounter dominated for long spells by the visitors.

Barcelona made a blistering start and almost took the lead inside 33 seconds, but goalkeeper Juan Musso produced a full-stretch save to deny Lamine Yamal.

The breakthrough came moments later when a defensive lapse allowed Yamal to slot home after being picked out by Ferran Torres.

The visitors continued to press and were rewarded again when Torres fired a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner, levelling the tie on aggregate and silencing the home crowd. Barcelona nearly added a third soon after, but Musso denied Fermin Lopez from close range during a frantic spell.

However, Atlético responded through Lookman, who capitalised on a well-worked move to finish from close range and restore his side’s aggregate advantage. The goal, his sixth since joining the club in January, shifted the momentum back in favour of the hosts.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Atlético dropping into a compact defensive shape while looking to exploit space on the counter. Barcelona thought they had drawn level again when Torres volleyed home, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Despite sustained pressure, with Yamal at the heart of their attacking play, Barcelona were unable to find the breakthrough. Goalkeeper Joan García kept the visitors in contention with a point-blank save from Robin Le Normand, before Eric Garcia was sent off late on, further complicating their push for an equaliser.

In the closing stages, Barcelona launched a desperate assault, but Atlético held firm to maintain their remarkable record of progressing from every UEFA Champions League knockout tie after winning the first leg away from home.

Lookman’s contribution was central to the outcome, with the Nigerian forward registering one goal from four attempts and an expected goals value of 0.75.

He also created two chances, completed 13 of his 14 passes, and contributed defensively with tackles and duels as he delivered a complete performance.

His impact continues to grow since his January arrival, now being in contention for winning UCL and Copa Del Rey title.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 15, 2026

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