Champions League: Barcelona suffered a shock exit as Antoine Griezmann’s double sent Atletico Madrid into the semi-finals.

 

Barcelona, who were turning  to the primary team to hold the Champions League, appear to have come up short on steam toward the end of the season, having won only one of their last five matches. They have not appeared to be identical side following their 39-game  unbeaten run finished toward the begin of the month and they came into the Wednesday’s match on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.

Holders Barcelona slammed out of the Champions League subsequent to being smothered by a splendidly very much composed Atletico Madrid and fixed by two objectives from Antoine Griezmann in a 2-0 quarter-last second-leg rout on Wednesday.

Griezmann headed home Saul Niguez’s lovely cross to give the home side the lead in the 36th moment and give them a stage from which they easily contained their uniquely limp adversaries to seal a 3-2 total win. The France forward scored again from the punishment spot with two minutes staying, taking after a handball from Andres Iniesta, to finish a 3-2 total triumph that disposed of Barca at the quarter-last stage for the second time in three seasons.

“I congratulate Atletico Madrid, they were better than us,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told reporters. “We had control without creating much danger. The team wanted to retain the title, the fans did too, but today it was not to be. We are sad, of course.”

The Atletico supporters made an intense environment and the commotion at commencement prodded the hosts into a solid begin, with Gabi bursting over and Yannick Carrasco and Griezmann testing Barca guardian Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Atletico led the pack in the tie on away objectives when Saul cut out a cross with the outside of his boot towards Griezmann who headed into the top corner.

“We never stopped believing, we never give up what we want to do,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. “It was lovely to watch from the touchline. These moments won’t come back because they are unique in football.

After Griezmann multiplied the lead from the spot, Barcelona still had two minutes in addition to stoppage time to discover an objective that would have constrained additional time and Lionel Messi almost summoned a late leveler yet sent a free kick over the bar.

“We were playing against one of the best teams in the world and we did ourselves proud, now we’re in the semi finals, among the top four teams in Europe,” Griezmann said.

“Our fans support us in every home game and push us to produce performances like tonight’s. This game belongs to them too.”