LONDON: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all failed to deliver as holders Barcelona cra­sh­ed out of the Champions League after being stifled by a brilliantly well-organised Atletico Madrid and undone by two goals from Antoine Griezmann in a 2-0 quarter-final second-leg defeat on Wednesday.

Griezmann headed home Saul Niguez’s exquisite cross to give the home side the lead in the 36th minute and provide them with a platform from which they comfortably contained their uncharacteristically limp opponents to seal a 3-2 aggregate win.

The France forward scored again from the penalty spot with two minutes remaining, following a handball from Andres Iniesta as Atletico overturned a 2-1 loss at Camp Nou in last week’s first leg.

Barca, bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League, were left to rue referee Nicola Rizzoli’s decision to give a free-kick on the edge of the box in injury time instead of a penalty when Gabi appeared to be inside the area as he was penalised for handball.

The result sent Diego Simeone’s team, which had played most of the first leg match with 10 men, to the semi-finals for the second time in the last three seasons — both times getting the better of Barca at the quarter-final stage.

“We’ve worked really hard defensively. We deserve it,” Griezmann said. “The team has made a great effort to be among the best four teams in Europe.”

FIFTH IN A ROW

In Wednesday’s other game, Bayern Munich booked their fifth successive Champions League semi-final spot despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Benfica.

The draw in the return leg of their quarter-final in Lisbon meant Bayern went through 3-2 on aggregate after their 1-0 win at home.

Unfancied Benfica made the German club fight till the end, though, as they drew back onto level terms in the tie in the 27th minute as Raul Jimenez escaped the Bayern defence to nod past Manuel Neuer.

But Arturo Vidal’s 38th-minute goal cancelled out the hosts’ early lead and Thomas Mueller’s volley early in the second half eased Bayern’s nerves.

Benfica did manage to create a grandstand finale of sorts through Talisca’s curling free kick in the 76th, but it could have been more exciting had Bayern’s Javi Martinez been sent off for the cynical foul that lead to the free-kick.

Bayern though join Atletico, Real Madrid and Manchester City in Friday’s semi-final draw, as coach Pep Guardiola looks to sign off with a treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles before he joins City at the end of the season.

“You can’t believe how hard the Champions League is,” said Guardiola, who is hoping to repeat the club’s feat of winning Europe’s top-tier tournament, Bundesliga and German Cup three years ago under Jupp Heynckes. “It’s terrible.”

GRIEZMANN DOUBLE

Barca’s defeat, meanwhile, ended their hopes of repeating the treble of Champions League, Copa del Rey and La Liga titles.

“I congratulate Atletico Madrid, they were better than us,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told reporters. “We had control without creating much danger. The team wanted to retain the title, the fans did too, but today it was not to be. We are sad, of course.”

The Atletico supporters created a fervent atmosphere and the noise at kick-off spurred the hosts into a strong start, with Gabi blazing over and Yannick Carrasco and Griezmann testing Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.

Atletico took the lead in the tie on away goals when Saul carved out a cross with the outside of his boot towards Griezmann who headed into the top corner.

Griezmann’s second of the night and sixth of this season’s Champions League came from the spot after a dangerous counterattack started by Filipe Luis, whose cross into the area was blocked by Iniesta with his arm.

“We never stopped believing, we never give up what we want to do,” Simeone said. “It was lovely to watch from the touchline. These moments won’t come back because they are unique in football.”

UNENVIABLE TASK

Benfica were undisputed underdogs at the Estadio Da Luz, and they started against Bayern not just with a deficit to overturn, but without three key forwards.

Top-scorer Jonas, who has scored 32 goals this season, was ruled out through suspension, while Nicolas Gaitan and Greek Kostas Mitroglou failed to recover from injuries, meaning that the hosts had depleted attacking options to choose from.

“We finished the game with five players aged between 18 and 21 on the field. We have a team that fought toe to toe with Bayern,” said Benfica coach Rui coach Vitoria who was sent to the stands over the referee’s decision to book Martinez for a last-man foul that led to their equaliser.

“We fought until the end, so I have to congratulate my players and these amazing supporters.”

The opening goal unsettled Bayern and with the aggregate score level, the match burst into life. But the German giants battled through.

“It was a sensational atmosphere but it was hard work,” said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm. “We had to be more precise than in the first game. We remained calm after the goal and worked hard.”

Results:

At Madrid:

Atletico Madrid 2 Barcelona 0

Atletico Madrid win 3-2 on aggregate

At Lisbon:

Benfica 2 Bayern Munich 2

Bayern Munich win 3-2 on aggregate

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2016