SOCCER: Atletico survive Barca scare to reach first Champions League semi in nine years

Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in nine years despite a 2-1 home defeat against Barcelona in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday (April 14), 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. Lamine Yamal capitalised on a Clement Lenglet error to open the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing neatly past goalkeeper Juan Musso after Ferran Torres set him up.

Torres then made it 2-0 in the 24th minute, racing clear onto Dani Olmo's pass and driving the ball into the top corner.

Atletico, rocked but not floored, found a lifeline in the 31st minute. Marcos Llorente burst down the right and drilled a low cross to the far post where Ademola Lookman outpaced his marker and fired inside the left post to restore the hosts' aggregate lead.

Barcelona dominated possession after the break and had a third effort ruled out for offside against Torres, while Pedri and Gavi controlled midfield.

Barca finished with 10 men after a last-man challenge brought a red card for defender Eric Garcia and Atletico held on to secure a place in the last four against Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon, who play on Wednesday with the London side leading 1-0.

-Michael Gore, Miguel Gutierrez/Reuters