Spanish Teams Conquer Champions League Quarter Finals


The 2016/17 UEFA Champions League has its first pair of semi-finalists, with cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid advancing at the expense of Leicester City and Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
Atletico Madrid's Spanish midfielder Saul Niguez (C) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League against Leicester CityAtletico put in a disciplined, professional performance at the King Power Stadium to play out a 1-1 draw with the Foxes. Holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Vicente Calderon last week, the Madrid side claimed the lead on 26 minutes through Saul Niguez to effectively kill off the game.
Leicester City's English striker Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match against Atletico de Madrid[/caption]
Leicester equalised just after the hour mark through Jamie Vardy, but it proved nothing more than a consolation for Craig Shakespeare’s side, who have enjoyed a great run on their tournament debut and represented England better than heavyweights Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur managed.

At the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Real claimed a controversial 4-2 win over Bayern Munich after extra time. The German side won the match 2-1 in regular time (leaving the tie locked at 3-3 on aggregate), but can rightly point to dubious officiating in their demise which followed.
Bayern Munich's Chilian midfielder Arturo Vidal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match against Real Madrid[/caption]
Not only was influential midfielder Arturo Vidal harshly sent off for a second yellow card late in regulation time, but the first goal in extra time for Cristiano Ronaldo - the strike which effectively settled the tie - should have been ruled out for offside. Nonetheless, it was an epic, history-making night for the Portuguese star, who netted a hat-trick to become the first player to score 100 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
The semi-final line-up will be completed by tonight’s matches (Monaco v Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona v Juventus), with the draw for the final four set to take place on April 21.
Quarterfinal, second leg results, Tuesday 18 April:
Leicester City 1-1 Atletico Madrid - Atletico won 2-1 on aggregate
Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich - After extra time; Real Madrid won 6-3 on aggregate
 

Published: 04/19/2017