Atletico Madrid knock out holders Barca to reach last 4 of Champions League

Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid defeated reigning champions FC Barcelona 2-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate to book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Although the 180 minutes of the tie had their moments of controversy both in Barcelona and in the Calderon, the result was fair after Atletico did more over the tie to deserve their place in the last four of the competition.

Spurred on by a packed Vicente Calderon Stadium and needing a goal to qualify, Atletico took the game to Barca and had three chances in the opening seven minutes.

Gabi Fernandez fired over from inside the visitors' penalty area, before Yannick Carrasco shot straight at Ter Stegen and Antoine Griezmann headed into the arms of the Barca keeper.

Barca were failing to crate anything in attack, with their only chance of a Messi free kick over the bar and Atletico got their reward nine minutes from time when Griezmann headed home following a Saul cross from the right wing.

The goal qualified Atletico thanks to the way goal they scored a week ago, but Barca failed to react and Carrasco again forced Stegen into a decent save before the referee blew the halftime whistle.

If Barca hoped the halftime break would allow them to correct things, they were to be disappointed as things carried on as usual and Atletico were unfortunate not to double their lead when Godin' s looping header bounced off the top of the Barcelona crossbar, before a Griezmann sprint ended up with him shooting at Stegen from a tight angle.

Barca finally came to life with Pique seeing an effort cleared off the line and Jordi Alba fired across the face of goal before Luis Enrique brought on Sergi Roberto and Arda Turan for Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic.

The reigning champions looked to pressure Atletico with Iniesta directing their midfield, but clear cut chances were still few and far between as Barca began to pin Atletico back in the closing minutes with Pique acting as a makeshift striker leaving them open to a counter-attack.

That happened in the 87th minute as Felipe Luis drove Atletico forward only for his cross to be cut out by Iniesta' s hand.

Griezmann fired home the resulting penalty to send the Calderon wild and although the visitors had a very good penalty claim for handball turned down in the last minute, the fact is that the best side over the two legs is in the semi-finals. Endit