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.
Yikes! Not what we need before we start… well this is why you need a squad to win a World Cup, Ireland’s depth will be tested.
@Aaron Tynan: big loss in centre but could be a silver lining later in tournament to have Addison as full back option
@BMJF: silver lining henshaw out???? That’s a huge loss!!!! Adisson or Henshaw v SA or NZ give me a break. Kearney will be solid dont worry about him
I’m on my way lads
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: “You’re my Boy Blue”!!!
@#JUSTICE4NOEL:
NOT YET !!!!
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: sorry Noel but no overseas money grabbers allowed.
Ah feck. He just can’t stay fit these days. He was so good last week & for me would have started against the Scots. Hopefully it’s not his World Cup over. Luckily we’ve good cover there but it’s not an ideal way to go into the tournament.
@Kevin: nothing to do with fitness, he did his hamstring. Could happen to anybody.
@Harry Fanning: I’m not just talking about this most recent injury. Henshaw has had a very unlucky run of injuries over the last couple of years.
@Kevin: ever since he left Connacht he’s seemed injury prone.
@David Finn: yup, broke hand against Munster in Thomond. About the only major injury in four seasons with seniors at Connacht…
Hope he recovers but I don’t mind Ringrose and Aki. Ringrose is a dancer, love his play.
Ringrose is just as good a replacement to have. But hopefully if Henshaw recovers in time for SA. That would be a huge boost!
@Harry O’Callaghan: Pretty presumptuous there!
@The Guru: you’re right… could be NZ!
@Sam Ahern: Irish rugby fans becoming increasingly like English football fans.
@The Guru: stirring the pot there
@Harry O’Callaghan: it time for the Italy quarter final
@The Guru: Very insightful
@The Guru: Shurrup ya scruffy fleabag :P
Said it before, has to be something wrong with the training regime when players can’t put 2 games back to back without picking up injuries, Sexton next!
@Martin McKenna: it’s the nature of the game, aging team and it’s about as contact as contact sports can be
@5hbeZh0I: Henshaw has played very little and keeps getting injured, has to be an underlying cause.
@5hbeZh0I:
What does “aging team” have to do with Henshaw ??
Not sure if it was enforced but Addison was pulled from the team for Ulster today at the last minute. Wonder was it a precaution to prevent him being injured if he needs to go to Japan.
@Ruckin’ Hell: God I really need to read articles before I comment
@Ruckin’ Hell: haha it helps. Henshaw bad injury profile, might see Will fly in alright.
A pity. We have good replacements but Aki and Ringrose don’t have the same kind of synergy together.
Loads of comments about Aki and Ringrose covering, nobody mentions that Farrell can do a job at 12, big, strong and abrasive, wouldn’t be shocked if JS picks him to cover Henshaw who is …..big strong and abrasive
@Kevin50: yep, I’d say Farrell could easily be picked instead. Either way ringrose is a class act, hasn’t really been himself the last few months but a lad like him could turn it in a game. Be an awful shame for Ireland & especially henshaw himself if he were to miss out. He’s starting to get tod type luck and in fairness last week he looked class, up against one of the world’s top centre pairings. Looked like he was spot on for a great wc
@Tim Magner: Aki Farrell didn’t work. Not much point in Farrell at 13 if aki only passes after contact. Farrell And ringrose would be better
@Chris Mc: are you saying that because of that 1st Welsh friendly? Cos back in the grand slam year v Wales, Aki & Farrell played and Farrell was mom
Poor fella can’t catch a break.. fingers crossed
Some bodies are just injury-prone and Henshaw’s injury profile is dreadful at this stage. Sad for him and a big blow for Ireland if he’s not available for quarters.
Gutted for him if the issue is confirmed. But as a squad someone else will hopefully get a shot.
What a disaster.
Should never happen in training.
We haven’t even kicked a ball yet and a key guy is out!
What have they been at for the last week?
A few days off and then some unavoidable travel/recovery time.
But 7 days without being on a pitch with a rugby ball?
A week before the biggest game of their careers? Ain’t no expert but It seems odd.
@Oran Burns: why should it not happen in training? Training loads at this stage should be heavy and at match intensity to acclimatise to humidity etc. with loads getting lighter closer to games.
@Oran Burns: nowhere near the biggest game of their careers, it’s a world cup group game. This squad have played grand slam deciders, world cup 1/4 finals and many bigger games. Henshaw has been massively unfortunate but any professional team must train as they mean to play. You cannot train at 75% and expect to ramp it up to 100% on match day. But as you say, your no expert, so il forgive and forget
If he could be fit for a potential qf then he’s worth keeping in the squad.
Is it over yet?
Irish Rugby just had a press conference in Japan at 1am our time. The official word is he “felt a tightness in his hamstring at training yesterday. He will be scanned today and monitored this week. No replacement player has been called up at this stage”. Fingers crossed it is only tightness and not a tear. We can do without him against Scotland, we’ve got coverage. But I feel we’ll definitely need him in the quarter finals, and to play in that game he’ll need minutes in the group games.
Ffs!