Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
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Here are the teams for tonight’s match…
Atletico starting XI: Oblak, Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Luis, Augusto, Gabi, Koke, Saul, Carrasco, Griezmann.
Subs: Correa, Gamez, Kranevitter, Moya, Savic, Vietto, Thomas.
If you’re wondering what’s happening in the Man United-West Ham FA Cup tie, you can follow it in our other liveblog here.
John Giles says Messi “doesn’t look himself” and suggests his tax problems could be affecting him.
He suggests beating Atletico will be a “big job” for Barca.
George Hamilton calls it “the biggest night in Spanish football since last night”.
We’re underway…
Unsurprisingly, Barca have dominated possession early on.
As I type though, the ball breaks to Gabi, who blasts his attempt from the edge of the box well over.
Atletico have contained Barca well so far.
Luis Enrique’s men have struggled to get any rhythm in their play owing to their opponents’ relentless pressing.
Half-chance for Atletico.
Griezmann has a free header in the box but Ter Stegen gets down well to make the save.
Griezmann plays through Carrasco, whose cross eludes everyone and drifts harmlessly away from goal.
Atletico have looked very dangerous on the counter-attack in these opening stages.
Looks like Barcelona will have to be very patient tonight.
Atletico have been consistently well organised, with their two banks of four routinely halting their rivals’ attacks.
Filipe Luis has just stood on the foot of Luis Suarez.
Barca will hope the Uruguayan star doesn’t react as badly to Atletico’s subtle provocations as he did last week.
Griezmann is played through by Koke, but Jordi Alba is well positioned to clear the danger.
Atletico continue to look the more threatening team going forward, while Barca have shown few signs of being able to overcome their current slump.
Good play from Messi, who tracks back and takes the ball off the onrushing Griezmann.
That moment indicates the Argentine superstar certainly has the right attitude for tonight’s match.
Atletico have done a superb job pinning Barca back into their own half at times.
As I type though, Suarez wins a corner for his side.
Cries of a penalty, as Carrasco goes down after a challenge from Pique.
Judging from replays, it would have been harsh, as there was very little contact.
Messi curls a free kick towards goal but it goes well over.
It certainly doesn’t look like he’ll be matching Ronaldo’s hat-trick tonight.
ATLETICO 1-0 BARCELONA (GRIEZMANN 36)
Dani Alves’ cross deflects into the hands of Oblak.
Barcelona have been disappointing in the final third so far.
Out of nothing, Saúl’s cross is expertly headed home by Griezmann.
Atletico are now leading on away goals.
Controversy, as Suarez fouls Godin and the Atletico player makes sure the referee knows he felt it.
Replays suggest the defender made a bit of a meal of that incident.
Neymar’s curled effort is easily stopped by Oblak.
Barcelona are beginning to look very frustrated now.
Barcelona have had 72% of the first-half possession.
As I type, however, Carrasco’s pot shot forces a save from Ter Stegen.
HALF-TIME: ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA (AGG: 2-2)
So Atletico deservedly lead at half-time and are going through as it stands.
Diego Simeone’s men have looked far more of a cohesive unit than Barca, who have struggled to get going and look a little shaky at the back.
Luis Enrique’s team were so inept in that first half that it’s currently hard to see them getting back in the game.
That said, with brilliant individuals such as Messi, Neymar and Suarez in the team, Barca can still change the tie in an instant.
The second half is underway…
Koke tries to play through Griezmann but Pique does well to intercept.
Barca look distinctly nervy every time Atletico attack.
More pressure from Atletico as Koke narrowly misses his teammate with a pull back.
The hosts currently look odds-on to get a second goal.
So close! Ter Stegen can only watch on as Saul’s header from a half-cleared corner hits the bar.
Barcelona are really living on the edge now.
Godin blocks a cross from going into the box.
Shortly thereafter, Messi’s attempt is deflected away for a corner.
Moments later, Alves’ cross is desperately cleared by Gabi.
Barca are picking up the pace and are starting to look a bit more dangerous now.
Griezmann sprints through on goal, but his finish from a tight angle is straight at Ter Stegen.
The French striker has led the line really well tonight.
Iniesta plays it through to Suarez, who shrugs off his marker.
But the Uruguayan star’s toe-poked finish is straight at Oblak.
Barca make a double substitution — Arda Turan and Sergi Roberto replace Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic.
The visitors currently look stronger than at any other point in this game.
Godin goes down holding his face after challenging for a header with Suarez.
The Uruguayan striker then gets booked seemingly for dissent thereafter.
Atletico make a sub, as 22-year-old Partey comes on for Carrasco.
Just over 15 minutes for the hosts to hang on.
Sustained pressure from Barca, but it ends with Neymar dribbling the ball out of play.
He’s then booked for a naughty kick on Juanfran.
Messi’s lofted through pass is easily caught by Oblak.
Barca could really do with a moment of magic from their main man right now.
Pique goes down under a challenge in the box, but the ref waves play on.
Barca are really applying the pressure now.
Godin gets booked for cynically pulling down Sergi Roberto.
Atletico are doing all they can to slow this game down at the moment.
Brilliant solo run from Filipe Luis and Mascherano then blocks the cross with his hand. He’s booked as a result….
ATLETICO 2-0 BARCELONA (GRIEZMANN 88)
Ter Stegen gets a hand to it, but he can’t stop Griezmann’s penalty going in.
Don’t forget that Barca can still take this game to extra-time with a goal.
Correa has replaced Griezmann.
Here’s a look at his goal…
https://vine.co/v/itztQeB2XrY
Gabi handballs in the box, but the referee — thinking it was outside — awards a free kick.
Barca’s players are understandably livid.
Messi curls the free-kick wide.
That gets one of the biggest cheers of the night.
Atletico have the ball in Barca’s half.
It’ll be interesting to see how much stoppage time the ref adds on given how many stoppages we’ve seen of late.
FULL-TIME: ATLETICO 2-0 BARCELONA (ATLETICO GO THROUGH 3-2 ON AGGREGATE)
ATLETICO REACH THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS BEATING BARCA 3-2 ON AGGREGATE!
So that’s that. Barcelona won’t be winning back-to-back Champions Leagues.
Atletico got a bit of luck at the end with the ref’s failure to award a clear penalty, but on the balance of play, they probably just about deserved to go through, withstanding wave after wave of Barca player by the end.
The hosts’ wonderful work ethic and superb defence, mixed with no shortage of cynicism, has seen them go through.
Brilliant…a team we can be proud off, 6 nations champions, clean sweep of the November series, the future is bright…the future is green.
And highest ranked Rugby team in the Northern Hemisphere! Woohoo!
We have crumbled as we know before been that far ahead early doors. This will stand to them more than any other game. It was perfect for us in that sense.BELIEVE
A super defensive outfit again in the second half Paul o Connell was just immense in the end
Not a follower of Rugby, but that’s very impressive. As a football fan I can’t help but think that someone in the FAI should ask someone in the IRFU how to run a game, from grassroots up to international level. The IRFU really do seem to be in a different league than their counterparts in the FAI.
Well said. I would add that the gaa and the FAI need to ask the IRFU how to run the show.
A voluntary organisation with nearly over 600,000 seats.. Maybe not.
Karen,
Every child in this country has the option to play GAA. The GAA have coaching in nearly every school in the country. They have attendance figures well above the other two sports ? So what would the GAA have to ask the IRFU about ?
What about coach behaviour and respect for referees ?
Maybe they could learn from the IRFU how to beat the Aussies ;) ;)
Seriously though, as the man below points out, they could learn how to Introduce a proper discipline system, whereby respect for referees and players is enforced from an early age
Also, whereas GAA is our national sport and rightly deserves every bit of support and credit, it might be time to spot the elephant in the room- rugby has been by far our most successful international game. Even the most blinkered GAAA fan can’t avoid that. Structurally, economically and professionally, it is one of the success stories of Ireland in the last 15 years.
There’s room for all sports, and yes, there is certainly room for the GAA to learn off other sports. The GAA was not founded with a view to being a virulently homogenous jealous backyard of insular minds- it was founded to present a unique representation of Gaelic culture, sport and sportsmanship. It did so by modernising our games by adopting more modern consistent rules and structures, particularly using the example of Association Football (‘saccar’)
Hence, the codifying of GAA regulations from 1884 onwards.
So yeah, maybe just maybe, the intergalactic GAA champions could learn from the IRFU.
Or maybe, just from their own history. That is, if they remember their own history.
Incredible match. Ireland finished like men demented. Absolutely brilliant.
I think Zebo answered a lot of critics today (myself included)
Cue everyone getting ahead of themselves about winning the world cup.(Me included)
Ireland for the world cup!!
Yeah, zebo impressed. Light as a feather but still through himself into tackles. Madigan ia gonna be a star.
Shame for Zebo about the errant offload. But really got his hands dirty today, shot up for a great challenge late on.
Madigan is really putting his hand up. I would like to see himself and henshaw in the centre for the 6 nations
That o connell hit was unreal..inspirational
Some boyo!
Amazing!
Yippee. Just won 3 challenge games in a row.
Australia really wanted to lose ..
Sums up irish rugby really
Martin Quinn
My response was to J.C ..I was being sarcastic ..
We are serious contenders for the World Cup
Roll on the Six Nations!
Ireland for the world cup!!
BRILLIANT
We now win these tight games that we used to lose (honourably)..in Joe we trust..
Well done Ireland, you make us proud.
Ripper! You beauts.
I think after 06 07, people seriously have to take a step back and say we can be competitive for the World Cup but not expect more. They’ve beaten two very good teams, but were still a long way from the wc. I think we should be confident going into 6 nations, but realistic to keep the pressure off the players.
Dead right. We did the exact same thing in 2006, beating Australia and SA but crumbled in the world cup.
Still, enjoy today, maybe let ourselves get run away with ourselves today and calm down tomorrow.
Hon Ireland
Congrats to all the guys. Think we got something special with Henshaw. He’s got a big future in the Irish Jersey.
Can’t wait to see what we’re like when we get all the injured guys back!!!!
Get. Fuc$ing. In. There.
Great performance from the lads! I think what this match confirmed is that we have great strength in depth. No Sean O’Brien, Cian Healy, Keith Earls, Andrew Trimble, Luke Fitzgerald and the retirement of 2 World class players in BOD and Ferris but we are still able to compete with and beat the best teams in the World.
Also confirmed is that we have found our new 13….Henshaw was immense in defence and made yards in attack.
Keep our current players fit and get our injured players back and we have a real chance in next years WC.
Will the zebo bashing stop now?
No he was shit today. Huge errors and utterly reckless.
I was a fan but what the hell. Not the day for running rugby.
You must be a troll.
Try saving tackle when he came in off his wing at the end, chased kicks well all day and got his try thanks to that. Threw himself into tackles, he was immense.
In fairness to Zebo he was brilliant today but he handed them a lifeline with that stupid off load when were 17-0 up and rampaging forward. If he’d set up that ball and we pushed on from the ruck the game was over at half time.
More than made up for it try saving tackle on tomoua at the end and huge hit on kurudrani too. We won he played well give it to him.
A pattern emerges with David Burke. I’ve crossed swords with you on energy policy before where you have been patently wrong but to see you be so utterly wrong when it comes to rugby…well..sums you up….some people are just burdened with a kind of stupidity that makes them always think they are right when they are obviously wrong. Zebo poor??? How wrong could you be..
Couldnt agree with you more mr fingleton
Chris that offload was very unlucky not to go to hand and there were missed tackles after that which led to the try
But if he made that off load, to I think sexton coming through it could of been a try down the other end and he would of been a hero. He was brilliant, non stop work all game. Outside of O Connell he could of just as easily got MOTM. Fair play to Zebo
Sensible people at last!!
Fingelton you were utterly wrong on the facts of wind energy because you don’t like them near your house. Not my fault you want to blatantly lie.
I like zebo but he was genuinely reckless today. He got isolated numerous times.
I honestly don’t get that you would be so offended to insult me because I disagree over the performance of a player.
Anyway you were wrong about the renewable energy then and you still are.
Those who are critical of Simon’s attempted pass must realise that to have the ability to think, anticipate and act at the level of international rugby is the sign of genius. Rant and rave at me if you want but there are few sports where you have to think beyond the impending impact of an opposing player and concentrate on what you perceive as “the gap” to put away your team-mate, as is done in rugby. I am a dedicated atheist but it was an Australian rugby administrator who summed the game up beautifully: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWo8fXp0Zg
It’s not the pass its the way he plays when the game doesn’t call for his brand of rugby.
He is an amazing player, Ireland best going forward player. But he is reckless.
To be fair to Zebo. The offload was slapped back and 3 further Irish players missed tackles before they scored
You haven’t a rashers Burke.
Burke no one is agreeing with you come out of the fog and admit you were wrong. How did zebo get isolated? Pretty sure the only time he was turnover was that offload. Beats the first man constantly and made crucial yards going forward. Youre wrong, accept it.
Plus he made some pretty poor clear outs at ruck time. Charging over the top and leaving the ball exposed.
Throw that on yer flamin barbee Australia :)
Great result – but let’s not get too carried away with talk of World Cup just yet. Kick on for the six nations and then peak for next October and we’ll be in good shape. On the right track and more and more strength in depth than ever.
Id say lancaster is sooooo pissed off with that result.
As much fun as that was, let’s not do that again. Heart stopping stuff.
I thought all the off field stuff would mean they were out of the running, but Cheika can have his guys well in shape come the World Cup. Remember, both Australian World Cup wins have come in the Northern Hemisphere. They’re dark horses for me.
Tense to say the least!!Now I think we all know how truly good our team is.Six nations and WORLD CUP here we come!
Are Ireland now kings of the Commonwealth nations? Do any other countries play this tripe?
Don’t even go there Girlfriend
Tut tut, must troll harder
I bet the few hours it took you to come up with that comment was the highlight of your weekend!
Knob. You commented on rugby yesterday. If you dont like it dont come onto this page
If we had beaten England, we could be the second team to go unbeaten in the calendar year, after All Blacks last year.
Weren’t we unbeaten in 09 calendar year?
Autumn tests? Cant remember to be honest
We did go unbeaten in ’09. But one was a draw to Australia. All Blacks were the first team to win all their games in a calendar year.
Does Hook have to apologise this week, didn’t see the start of the match so don’t know if he put his foot in it once again.
Rock on 2015
Paulie x
Unbelievable stuff from Ireland. Well done lads.
What a game.
I had been critical of Zebo’s defence before but he was excellent defensively today, making smart interventions throughout the game. Indeed, all the Irish players seem to have come on leaps and bounds under Schmidt. Sign of a good coach, as they say.
Agreed … I suspect when/if JS gets a prolonged period with keith earls, Luke fitz, olding etc. then well have serious options in the back line (in addition to what we have)
Stupid question, but do ireland not play the all blacks in the autumn internationals too?
Not this time.
6 teams come North in the Autumn and play the ‘home nations’ in two lots of three.
We will play the ‘other three’ again next year
The Shinners won’t be happy about this.
Jesus wept, Argentina beat France!
Great result the lads played great excluding 20-40 mins six nations we can win without grand slam and World Cup at least semi finals but with joe in charge will be aiming to win the RWC I just pray we can do this,this time and not Mess it up