Ademola Lookman scored the crucial goal as Atletico Madrid advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night, despite losing 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The Nigerian striker’s 31st-minute strike proved decisive after Barcelona had leveled the tie on aggregate through early goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres. Atletico held on through a tense second half to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2017.
Barcelona stormed out of the blocks, needing to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit. Teen sensation Yamal opened the scoring just four minutes in, capitalizing on a defensive error to slot past Juan Musso and give the visitors hope.
Torres doubled Barcelona’s lead in the 24th minute, latching onto Dani Olmo’s pass and firing into the top corner to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate. The momentum was firmly with Hansi Flick’s side as they threatened to complete the comeback.
Just when Barcelona appeared in control, Lookman struck. In the 31st minute, Marcos Llorente surged down the right flank and delivered a low cross into the box. The 27-year-old showed pace and composure to beat his marker and calmly slot home at the far post, restoring Atletico’s aggregate advantage.
“It was a rollercoaster with us going 2-0 down, and then it was a game of two halves, really,” Lookman told TNT Sports after the match. “We stuck in there, and we got through to the semis.”
Barcelona continued to dominate possession after the break, with Pedri and Gavi dictating play. Torres thought he had scored again in the 55th minute, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
The visitors’ task became harder in the 80th minute when Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth as he ran through on goal. Down to ten men, Barcelona could not find the third goal needed to force extra time.
Diego Simeone’s men held firm through seven minutes of added time to seal progression, with Lookman’s vital contribution standing as the turning point of the tie.
The goal was Lookman’s eighth in the Champions League, making him the third-highest Nigerian scorer in the competition’s history behind only Victor Osimhen (16) and Obafemi Martins (9).
Since his debut for Atletico in February, Lookman has been directly involved in nine goals in 17 appearances across all competitions. His impact has been immediate and crucial for Diego Simeone’s side.
Atletico will now face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semi-finals as they continue their quest for a first-ever Champions League title.
