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.
Looks like Mayo will be asking Santa Claus for Sam this year
@david hynes: Now you’re just being silly there David. Even we know Santa doesn’t come until Christmas eve ..
@david hynes: even if they whole championship was cancelled they’d still be runners up.
Croke park in December. Rain and hail. Extortionate ticket prices. Getting dark at 4pm and a very long dismal drive home. No thanks.
@Patrick Agnew: Haha stay at home so. Some of us would be delighted with the misery of being in croker in december
@Patrick Agnew: I’d say you’re the life and soul of a party. Generally, ticket prices are good value with many being double headers. As for the weather, this being Ireland, you’ve as much chance of being soaked in July as you do in December.
@Gareth Ward: off you go Gareth. I’ll watch it in the pub.
@Patrick Agnew: I’ll meet you there for a pint so after ive been to the games!
@Patrick Agnew: Do ya hear this lad? Christ. The pessimism. I’d crawl over broken glass to see my county play in a December final. Driving home from a match in the dark, what will they think of next!
@Patrick Agnew: You’re from Fermanagh Paddy, you won’t need to worry about it…
@Joe Brennan: good spot joe but I’m from Armagh
@Patrick Agnew: Still won’t.
Hopefully galway can beat mayo to relegate them
How is the provincial system fair for lets say an Ulster team who have to play a lot more and tougher games. Open draw would have been fairer and a good chance to trial something different. Instead its the same old.
@Lad: The provincial system has never been fair. So its not any different this year
@Gareth Ward: there is no back door? That does make it more unfair.
@Lad: Agree about Ulster but this is best way as open draw means some teams dont even have provincial title to go go for. I for one will be looking forward to it!!!
@Lad: Probably. But someone else would have a reason to complain then
@BrianG: true but they have a chance to go for that every year. What about giving them one good chance off the All Ireland. Last 32, round of 16, quarters, semis and final. Fair for everyone and gives someone like kildare, Tipp, Derry a real chance to go further than they could ever hope for the AI, rather than through the province. Give them hope, its crucial in GAA, just like nowhere but Newbridge and what that meant for kildare.
Just imagine a game of hurling in a potential snowstorm
@Sean Treacy: Bring it on baby
@Sean Treacy: just give me a game of hurling anywhere right now ..hail , rain or snow .
This will shorten the winter for a lot of people.
Roscommon at 100/1, twill be the best Xmas ever had
Lets go 6 in a row!
@Johnny 5: “Yis can fook off with your ga, Liverpool are playing Southampton at 4 o clock.” Jesus wept
@Baz:
Ha ha you can watch the paint dry Wel watch a mans game
Football so predictable.
Hurling so exciting.
@Colman Walsh: your comment was also predictable
Galway for the double this year at senior and U20, and the camogie and ladies football too!
@David Finn: Is that not a quadruple?
Kerry v Galway and Dublin v Donegal for the semis. Repeat of last years final, Dubs to shade it by a couple of points.
@Johnny 5: jes lad say if Galway can get back to the form they had up till this will give Kerry a good run for there money
@Johnny 5: jaysus I dunno, I like the name Johnny 5.
@Johnny 5: our game v Tyrone in ballybofey will be massive.
Should the semi finals not be Leinster v Munster and Connacht v Ulster? Before the break the super 8′s would have been Connacht and Ulster winners in one group and Leinster and Munster in the other. Why the change now?
@Alan Kenny: They obviously want a kerry dublin final
@Alan Kenny: I’d imagine 2020 framework moves to 2021. Hopefully back to normal
not a hope we will be well into lockdown 2 by then
Is there relegation in the leagues ??
@Gareth Ward: I would say so. Bottom two will still get relegated.
Also why are games to be finished on penalty’s? These are not low scoring games, there could easily be made a new rule to finish a game after a draw in extra time, such as first team to lead by 2 points or more wins.. Much fairer.
@Lad: Penalties are more craic anyway. Plus it could take an hour for a team to get a 2 point lead
@Gareth Ward: Seriously? An hour?
Ya because All Ireland Finals are all about the craic.
@Lad: Well i cant put an exact time on it. But imagine how untra defensive teams would get then! An hour might be generous
And yes, all ireland finals are great craic!
@Lad: can you imagine Tyrone defending a lead in extra time with that rule. Christ there be lads building blocks across the 45m line
I’m just glad we’re having championships – but fingers crossed! The virus will do what it wants to do.
Good luck to all – GAA management, teams and players.
Limerick league champions. So only lost two of the last 7 trophies they could have won. 2* league 1a, 1 all Ireland, 1 * league 1b, 1* munster
@Trevor: Well Clare are also league champions. 1a and 1b are the same level, it was division one split into 2 groups
@Gareth Ward: 1a and 1b are not the same level
@Trevor: Do your research kid, they are
@Trevor: they are the same level changed format start of this year
@Gareth Ward: use your brain. Also I would have included a munster cup win if I was going to the level of lower 1b
@Trevor: Hahaha you are making less and less sense with every comment
it’s an absolute farce. Never has it been easier for Dublin and Kerry to walk their provinces.
No other div 1 team from their provinces next year. Kerry might not even face a div 2 side.
Absolute huge asterix joke.
@Peter McGlynn: no there won’t be any asterix next to it, if Kerry or Dublin win the all ireland it’s cause they are the best team, its not there fault if the rest aren’t up to the standard.
Dream on GAA
Another handy all Ireland for Tipp