UEFA Champions League: ‘Thrilled to eliminate a team of Barca’s level...’ says Koke

Koke. Pic/AFP

Atletico Madrid sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League en-route to booking a spot in the semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite Tuesday's 1-2 quarter-final second-leg defeat.

Diego Simeone's side saw their 2-0 lead from last week's first-leg clash evaporate within the opening half hour through strikes from Lamine Yamal (4th min) and Ferran Torres (24th min) as the Catalan giants turned on the heat. However, the in-form Ademola Lookman (31st min) fired the visitors ahead on aggregate and they managed to cling on to the win, while benefiting from Eric Garcia's sending off in the 79th minute for a tackle on Alexander Sorloth.

Atletico Madrid players celebrate their UCL quarter-final win vs Barcelona on Tuesday. Pic/AFP

"We're absolutely thrilled, eliminating a team of Barça's level. We struggled at the start, but overcame it. The effort was enormous and we are deserved winners of the tie," said Atletico Madrid skipper Koke.

Nine
No. of years since Atletico's previous semi-final appearance

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