With epic matches and plenty of goals, the quarterfinals of the 23/24 Champions League kicked off.
Join us to follow how the games unfolded and who gained the advantage for the return leg.
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Index
Champions League Quarterfinals
Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City
In the most anticipated clash, Real Madrid and Manchester City put on a true spectacle at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Just two minutes into the game, Bernardo Silva took a direct long-range free-kick, catching Lunin off guard who was expecting a cross. With only Vini Jr in the wall, the Portuguese placed the ball perfectly into the corner of the net. Lunin got a touch on the ball, but couldn’t prevent the goal.
Real Madrid didn’t falter and equalized at the 11th minute. Camavinga cut inside, struck with his left foot, and benefited from a deflection off Rúben Dias to bypass Ortega and level the score.
At the 13th minute, Vini Jr delivered a beautiful through ball to Rodrygo, who entered the box and shot past the goalkeeper. The ball slowly rolled into the net, and Real Madrid turned the game around.
By the 32nd minute, Rodrygo and Vini Jr combined for a splendid play from the defense. Vini passed to Rodrygo inside the box, but he mishit the ball and sent it wide.
In the 53rd minute, City made a mistake in their build-up play, Bellingham gained possession, made two cuts past the defense, and struck with his left foot. The shot narrowly missed the post.
At the 55th minute, Valverde recovered the ball on the right flank and passed to Rodrygo, who set up Vinicius Jr in the box. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Vini chipped the ball over the goal with his left foot.
By the 65th minute, Bernardo Silva advanced down the right wing, passed to Stones, who quickly found Foden at the edge of the box. The Englishman struck a powerful, well-placed shot into the top corner, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper.
City went ahead once again at the 70th minute, in a similar fashion to Foden’s goal. Grealish progressed down the right and passed to the left-footed Gvardiol outside the box, who struck fiercely with his right foot into the bottom corner, scoring Manchester City’s third goal.
Photo: Twittter TheMCFCView
Real Madrid didn’t give up and leveled the game with a spectacular goal from Valverde. At the 78th minute, Modric initiated a counter-attack and passed to Vini Jr on the left. The Brazilian crossed perfectly, and Valverde arrived at the far post to volley home, scoring a fantastic goal and tying the game 3-3.
Photo: Getty Images
The second leg will be on April 17th at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal 2-2 Bayern
In a balanced encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and Bayern drew in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
At the 11th minute, Ben White played a ball into the box for Saka, who placed it skillfully to open the scoring for Arsenal.
Bayern quickly responded. In the 18th minute, Gabriel Magalhães made a mistake in the build-up, Goretzka passed to Gnabry inside the box, who slid in to equalize.
At the 30th minute, Sané made a great individual play, bypassed three markers, and was fouled by Saliba inside the box. Kane stepped up to take the penalty, sending Raya the wrong way, and putting Bayern ahead.
Photo: REUTERS/David Klein
In the second half, Bayern managed to contain Arsenal’s attacks for a long time and controlled the game. However, at the 75th minute, Gabriel Jesus entered the box, made a beautiful cut past De Ligt, and set up Trossard, who scored a cross-shot to level the game.
Photo: Divulgation/Arsenal
In the dying moments, at the 89th minute, Musiala crossed for Coman. The Frenchman’s shot went through Raya’s legs and hit the post.
In the last play of the game, Saka found himself one-on-one with Neuer, attempted to dribble past him, and fell. Arsenal protested vehemently for a penalty, but the referee waved play on.
The second leg will be on April 17th at the Allianz Arena.
PSG 2-3 Barcelona
In a game with two turnarounds, Barcelona came out on top against PSG at the Parc des Princes.
At the 20th minute, Gündoğan took a corner, Donnaruma misjudged it, and Lewandowski almost scored, but Nuno Mendes cleared off the line. On the rebound, Lamine Yamal hit the side netting.
At the 36th minute, Yamal crossed to Lewandowski, Donnarumma fumbled again, punching weakly, and Raphinha pounced on the loose ball to open the scoring.
For the second half, Luis Henrique brought on Barcola for Asensio, and PSG responded swiftly.
At the 48th minute, Mbappé crossed, Araújo cleared, and Dembélé fired a rocket to equalize.
The turnaround came at the 50th minute. Lee dribbled down the right, Ruiz provided an option, and found Vitinha in the box, who slotted home to put PSG ahead.
At the 61st minute, Pedri played a beautiful through ball to Raphinha, who volleyed into the corner, extending Barcelona’s lead.
Photo: Reuters
At the 70th minute, Vitinha set up Barcola, who found himself one-on-one with the keeper but hesitated, allowing Araújo to make a crucial block.
At the 74th minute, Vitinha found Dembélé in the box, the Frenchman placed his shot but hit the post.
At the 76th minute, Gündoğan’s corner found Christensen, who headed home, sealing the win for Barcelona.
The second leg will be on April 16th at the Estadio Olímpico Lluis Company.
Atlético Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Playing in front of their home crowd at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, Atlético Madrid had a spectacular first half but lost some of their advantage towards the end.
In the first minute, Griezmann sent Morata on a counter-attack with plenty of space, but the Spaniard took too long to shoot and was blocked by the defense.
At the 4th minute, Atlético capitalized on Dortmund’s mistake to open the scoring. Maatsen misplaced a pass in front of the box, and Rodrigo De Paul seized the opportunity to find the back of the net.
At the 7th minute, Griezmann crossed, Witsel flicked it with his heel, and Kobel made a spectacular save, tipping it over for a corner.
At the 31st minute, Griezmann played a ball into the box for Lino, who calmly slotted home to make it 2-0 for Atlético.
Foto: THOMAS COEX/AFP
At the 42nd minute, Maatsen unleashed a shot from outside the box, and Oblak made the save.
In the second half, at the 74th minute, Griezmann delivered a free-kick into the box, Lino was unmarked at the far post and took a shot, but Kobel made an impressive save.
At the 81st minute, Borussia scored to keep themselves in the tie. Haller received a pass from Brandt inside the box, Molina failed to clear, and the ball fell to the Ivorian who scored.
Photo: Juan Medina/Reuters
The second leg will be on April 16th at the Signal Iduna Park.
Written by Henry Miller.
