DORTMUND, Germany: Borussia Dortmund fought back to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday, securing a 5-4 aggregate victory and a first Champions League semifinal since 2013.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, goals from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen had Dortmund 2-0 up at half-time.
Visiting coach 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 Atletico 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.
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 for a place in the final at Wembley on June 1.
The home side should have been level in the tie after three minutes but Sabitzer took an extra touch with the goal beckoning, allowing Atletico to cover.
Just moments later, Atletico had a major chance of their own, as Alvaro Morata raced through one-on-one with the goalkeeper but chipped the ball well wide of the post.
Buoyed by an 80,000-strong home crowd trying to one-up last week’s atmosphere in the Spanish capital, Dortmund pushed and prodded, with Karim Adeyemi blasting straight at Jan Oblak.
Dortmund broke through after 34 minutes, Brandt collecting a Hummels chip and shooting on the turn, the ball bouncing through Oblak’s hands.
The home side were ahead in the tie just five minutes later, Maatsen threading in from an acute angle after he was given space to run in the Atletico box.
With Simeone sensing his chances of qualifying for the semis for a fourth time as Atletico boss slipping away, he shuffled his deck at half-time, making three changes including hooking the ineffective Morata for Correa.
Dortmund’s wobbles suddenly returned, letting the visitors back into the tie.
Hummels turned Mario Hermoso’s header into his own net from an Atletico corner under little pressure and with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel waiting to save.
Atletico smelt blood and could have levelled when Correa dragged the ball just wide.
The World Cup winner made up for his miss on 64 minutes when he cut through a penalty area crowded with yellow shirts and smacked the ball in, sending Atletico in front on aggregate.
The goal jolted Dortmund back into action and Edin Terzic’s men scored twice in three minutes to retake the overall lead.
Fuellkrug headed in a Sabitzer cross and the Austrian midfielder then got a goal of his own, shooting through the Atletico defense and into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, grabbing Dortmund a famous victory.
Dortmund sink Atletico to reach Champions League semifinals
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Dortmund sink Atletico to reach Champions League semifinals
- Former winners Dortmund, fifth in the German top flight and struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, will next face PSG for a place in the final at Wembley on June 1
FIFA launches first N.African office in Morocco ahead of 2030 World Cup
- Morocco will be the second African nation to host the World Cup in 2030
- FIFA’s other African offices are located in Senegal, Congo, Rwanda, and South Africa
RABAT: FIFA inaugurated Saturday a regional office in Morocco — the first in North Africa and fifth in the continent — as the kingdom ramps up preparations for the 2030 World Cup which it will host jointly with Spain and Portugal.
“This is a day that will be written in golden letters in the magnificent history of FIFA, African football, Moroccan football, and world football,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the inauguration ceremony.
The inauguration, also attended by the head of the African Football Confederation, Patrice Motsepe, took place hours before the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, the capital where Morocco face Nigeria.
Morocco will be the second African nation to host the World Cup in 2030, following South Africa’s edition in 2010. This follows five unsuccessful bids by the kingdom.
FIFA’s other African offices are located in Senegal, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and South Africa.
Liverpool fans, Dalglish pay tribute to Jota in Hong Kong
- Ahead of kickoff, supporters raised a mosaic depicting “DJ 20” and Dalglish laid a wreath in memory of former Liverpool forward Jota
- Liverpool players will wear a “Forever 20” emblem on their shirts during the next EPL season
HONG KONG: Liverpool supporters and their former forward and manager Kenny Dalglish led tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before a pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Ahead of kickoff, supporters raised a mosaic depicting “DJ 20” and Dalglish laid a wreath in memory of former Liverpool forward Jota, who died along with his brother in a car accident in Spain this month.
The Liverpool players wore “Diogo J 20” patches on their shirts and black armbands. AC Milan winger Rafael Leao paid tribute to his Portugal teammate by making a “2” and “0” sign with his fingers after scoring an early goal in the Italian team’s 4-2 win.
Liverpool fan Zoe Leung and her family made a placard in Jota’s memory.
“I think Jota’s death is sad and I was really shocked when I watched the news. I made this with my family to show some respect to Jota,” the 24-year-old Leung said.
Liverpool players will wear a “Forever 20” emblem on their shirts during the next Premier League season. Supporters can have “Diogo J. 20” printed on shirts in club stores, with the profits going to LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity.
Liverpool fans vastly outnumbered AC Milan supporters at the 50,000 capacity Kai Tak Stadium, many bringing placards, scarves, flags and banners to cheer on their team.
Liverpool travel to Japan next to take on Yokohama FM in the J League World Challenge on Wednesday. They begin their Premier League title defense at home to Bournemouth on August 15.
Howe confident Isak will stay at Newcastle despite transfer talk
- Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player despite speculation around a move to either Liverpool or Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia
- Isak has not traveled with Newcastle for their pre-season tour of Asia, apparently because of a minor thigh injury
SINGAPORE: Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insisted Saturday that Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player despite speculation around a move to either Premier League champions Liverpool or Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Isak has not traveled with Newcastle for their pre-season tour of Asia, apparently because of a minor thigh injury, but Howe said the 25-year-old Swedish striker was a key part of his plans.
“Of course, there are always going to be things going on behind the scenes,” Howe told reporters in Singapore, where Newcastle play Arsenal on Sunday.
“He is aware he’s in the news every day, which I’m sure is not easy for anyone in that situation.
“Conversations between Alex and the club or with me will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a good relationship,” Howe added.
Isak, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, has been “magnificent for us for as long as he has been with us,” said Howe. “And he is very comfortable in the dressing room.”
Isak did not travel with the Magpies after the thigh injury kept him out of Newcastle’s friendly defeat to Celtic last week.
“He mentioned before the Celtic game that it would be very minimal and nothing too serious,” said Howe.
“But he left training very early and didn’t feel right. So, he’s now back in Newcastle getting that injury assessed.”
Howe remained confident that Isak will be wearing black and white when the new season kicks off next month.
“I said after the game against Celtic that I was confident he would stay. I don’t see anything that is going to change that opinion of mine at the moment.
“It’s football,” he added. “And who knows what the future may bring.”
The Magpies ended their 70-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and finished in fifth place in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League.
“I think once you’ve experienced that feeling of winning, you want it again. So, we want to do it again as soon as possible, in all the competitions we are in,” said Howe.
“We set the bar very high, and there’s a lot of ambition within the team.”
Liverpool players to wear ‘Forever 20’ patches in Jota’s memory
- Former forward Diogo Jota who died in a car crash in Spain three weeks ago
- Thousands of flowers, scarves, banners and other tributes have been laid outside Anfield since Jota and his brother Andre Silva died
Liverpool players will wear a “Forever 20” emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets this Premier League season in memory of their former forward Diogo Jota who died in a car crash in Spain three weeks ago.
The club also announced on Saturday a special commemoration including a fan mosaic and a minute’s silence ahead of Liverpool’s opening game of the season against Bournemouth on August 15.
Thousands of flowers, scarves, banners and other tributes have been laid outside Anfield since Jota and his brother Andre Silva died.
The club said they have been removed over the past week and stored, while the floral tributes will be composted and used in flower beds across club sites, including Anfield, the AXA Training Center and AXA Melwood Training Center.
The remaining artefacts will be recycled and used to create a permanent memorial sculpture that will become a focal point of remembrance at Anfield.
Liverpool had already announced after consultation with Jota’s family that his number 20 shirt will be retired across all levels of the club, including the women’s and academy teams.
Supporters can have “Diogo J. 20” printed on shirts in club stores, with profits going to LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity. The Foundation has committed to creating a grassroots football program in Jota’s name.
A floral tribute will be also laid before kickoff at pre-season games in Hong Kong, Tokyo and at Anfield.
Ten-woman Brazil survive Colombia challenge in Copa goalless draw
- Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena was shown a red card in the 21st minute after handling the ball outside the penalty area
- Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, Colombia were unable to break the deadlock
QUITO: Colombia failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage in Friday’s final Group B match at the Women’s Copa America, as the reigning champions Brazil held them to a goalless draw despite being a player down.
Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena was shown a red card in the 21st minute after handling the ball outside the penalty area in a bid to stop Linda Caicedo’s shot during a rapid Colombian counterattack.
After consulting with assistant referee Mariana Aquino, referee Milagros Arruela dismissed Lorena, forcing Brazil to rely on substitute goalkeeper Claudia for the rest of the match.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, Colombia were unable to break the deadlock, with attempts from Valerin Loboa and Mayra Ramirez failing to find the back of the net.
“Today was a very tough game, very exhausting, and we wanted to win, but now we have to keep working hard for what’s coming,” Loboa said after the match.
Brazil stood firm in defense, and in the second half they tried to take the lead with attempts from Yasmim, Gabi Portilho and Dudinha, but they were all unsuccessful. They came closest with a free kick from Yasmim in added time that hit the crossbar.
“We knew it would be a very difficult game, but we’re very proud of this result with one player less. Now it’s time to rest and think about the semifinal,” Portilho said.
Both teams were already through to the semifinals, and Group B leaders Brazil will face Uruguay on Tuesday. Meanwhile, runners-up Colombia, with eight points, will take on Group A leaders Argentina on Monday.
