Champions League’s latest round!
Champions League Update.
International Desk, Mar 8 (EFE). –
The latest round of the Champions League has decided the new entrants to the quarterfinals in a night packed with goals, dramatic comebacks, and absolute dominance from the competition’s favorites, as Bayern, Liverpoo, Barça and Atlético advanced to the quarter finals.
In Germany, Bayern secured their spot against Atalanta (4-1) with a clear display of dominance from the start. The first key moment was the retaken penalty that Harry Kane converted in the 25th minute, breaking the Italian side’s resistance and reflecting the Bavarian control with 76% possession.
The second half was quickly decided by the stellar appearance of Kane, who scored the 2-0 in the 54th minute, followed immediately by goals from Lennart Karl (56′) and Luis Díaz (70′), the latter assisted by the German. This sealed the tie before Lazar Samardzic managed a consolation goal for Atalanta in the 85th minute.
Meanwhile, Liverpool controlled the first half against Galatasaray, but the Turkish side held firm thanks to their goalkeeper, Ugurcan Cakir, who even saved a Mohamed Salah penalty after Dominik Szoboszlai’s opening goal in the 25th minute. The score remained 1-0 until halftime despite the constant “Red” siege.
After the break, Liverpool unleashed an offensive flurry that settled the tie in just ten minutes: Hugo Ekitike scored the 2-0 (52’), Ryan Gravenberch extended the lead a minute later, and Salah finished with a spectacular goal (62’), securing the definitive 4-0 and passage to the quarterfinals, where they will seek revenge against PSG.
In a much more balanced contest, Tottenham took the lead against Atlético de Madrid with a Kolo Muani goal in the 30th minute. However, the crucial moment came with a vital save by Juan Musso, preventing a potentially devastating 2-0 lead.
After halftime, Julián Álvarez quickly equalized, and although Xavi Simons restored the advantage for the “Spurs,” the decisive goal for Atlético came from Dávid Hancko, who capitalized on a corner kick to net the 2-2. This result sealed their place in the quarters, despite a late penalty converted by Simons that did not change the outcome for the Rojiblancos.
Finally, FC Barcelona went on a rollercoaster ride against Newcastle in a first half that was an intense back-and-forth. A defensively soft Barça took the lead three times but was neutralized by an Anthony Elanga double, until a Lamine Yamal penalty right before halftime (3-2) proved crucial in tipping the balance.
After the locker room and adjustments by Hansi Flick, Barça became a steamroller and crushed their opponent in nine minutes with a goal-fest from Fermín López Marín, a brace from Robert Lewandowski, and the final nail in the coffin from Raphinha, sealing a resounding 7-2 victory that ensures their presence in the next phase. EFE
dmv/mcd
