Dortmund defeat Atletico Madrid to reach Champions League semi-finals

Borussia Dortmund defeated Atletico Madrid 4-2 in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday, securing a 5-4 aggregate victory and a first Champions League semi-final since 2013.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, goals from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen had Dortmund 2-0 up at half-time.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone made three changes at half-time including bringing on Angel Correa and his energy told immediately, Mats Hummels conceding a poor own goal before the Argentine netted to put the visitors back ahead in the tie.

But those goals brought a sluggish Dortmund back to life, with Niclas Fuellkrug and Marcel Sabitzer each scoring in a three-minute period to send the Bundesliga club through.

“It was magical. I try not to go overboard in interviews, but it was really magical. The stadium was on fire today,” Fuellkrug said after the game.

UCL: PSG beat Barcelona to set up semi-final clash with Dortmund

Former winners Dortmund, fifth in the German top flight and struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, will next face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a place in the final at Wembley on June 1.

PSG beat 10-man Barcelona 4-1 and booked a place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 6-4 aggregate win.

“We did give them chances and goals in the 15 minutes after half-time, we have to improve that for sure, but our response to it was sensational,” said Brandt.

Atletico Madrid were bidding to reach the last four for the first time in seven years but fell at the quarter-final stage for the third time in five seasons.

Atletico Madrid captain Koke said: “It was tough. Their goals hurt a lot – the fact that they got them so quickly after each other.

“We are angry because we wanted to get through. This is football and it can be cruel.”

The Star