Borussia Dortmund Stuns Atlético Madrid to Reach Champions League Semifinals

Borussia Dortmund secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over Atlético Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie on Tuesday, advancing to the semifinals with a 5-4 aggregate win. Dortmund had to come from behind twice over the two legs to secure their place in the last four for the first time since 2013.

Dortmund took a 2-0 lead in the first half at Signal Iduna Park through goals from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen. However, Atlético fought back early in the second half, leveling the tie on aggregate with an own goal from Mats Hummels and a strike from substitute Ángel Correa.

Undeterred, Dortmund dug deep and mounted a stunning comeback. Niclas Füllkrug equalized on aggregate before Marcel Sabitzer scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute to send the German side through. Sabitzer's late heroics capped off an inspired performance, as he also set up two goals on the night.

Why this matters: Borussia Dortmund's victory over Atlético Madrid marks a significant achievement for the club, as they continue their impressive run in Europe's premier club competition. The thrilling comeback showcases Dortmund's resilience and attacking prowess, setting the stage for an exciting semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

Dortmund coach Edin Terzić praised his team's performance, saying, "How we came back, wow." He acknowledged that Dortmund were the better and more active team over the two legs. In contrast, Atlético captain Koke admitted that his side failed to capitalize on their chances, which proved costly in the Champions League.

The match was described as "pure chaos" and "pure theatre," with Dortmund's youth triumphing over Atlético's experience. Diego Simeone's team, known for their defensive solidity, were uncharacteristically fragile, conceding four goals at home. Dortmund will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, with the final set to be played at Wembley Stadium in London on June 1, 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Dortmund beat Atlético 4-2 in 2nd leg, advancing 5-4 on aggregate.
• Dortmund came from behind twice to secure semifinal spot, first since 2013.
• Sabitzer scored decisive goal in 86th minute, also set up 2 goals.
• Dortmund to face PSG in semifinals, final at Wembley on June 1, 2024.
• Atlético failed to capitalize on chances, uncharacteristically conceding 4 goals at home.