Atlético Madrid have booked their place in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2016–17 season, beating Barcelona 3–2 on aggregate, with Ademola Lookman delivering the decisive moment in the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday night. 

The encounter was packed with early drama as Lamine Yamal handed Barcelona the lead in the fourth minute, before Ferran Torres doubled their advantage in the 24th minute to level the tie on aggregate.

However, Lookman responded just after the half-hour mark, pulling a goal back that ultimately proved crucial and sent Atletico through to the semifinals. 

Atletico Madrid have now eliminated the Catalan side in both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League this season with the Nigeria international registering three goal involvements across those matches.

Speaking after the match, Lookman expressed his delight at both the result and the team’s collective effort:

“I'm very, very happy, of course, to play in this competition and to be here. It shows the credit to the staff, team, everybody in terms of the work and dedication, and the quality as well in this squad," Lookman told CBS Sports Golazo.

"It wasn't easy today but everybody dug in and everyone showed their hard work."

Atletico showed resilience after falling two goals behind, demonstrating composure under pressure to claw their way back into the tie.

Reflecting on the difficult spell, Lookman added: "Definitely going 2–0 down is not easy. They had the momentum at that time, and Juan comes up with a massive save against Fermín. Key moments like that give everybody belief to keep going — you will get your moments."

Revealing the message in the dressing room at halftime, Lookman said: "To stay positive. Stay positive in the work in terms of what we believe in, knowing again we'll get the moments for sure and we did.

"In the end, we got the result that we wanted and that's the most important thing."

Atletico Madrid will face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semifinals, and Lookman gave little away on his preferred opponent. 

"In the semi-finals of the Champions League, whoever you get is a top team, whoever passes," he concluded.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel