Borussia Dortmund became the latest teams to book their berths in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday with a dramatic 2-0 win over PSV, while Atletico Madrid came back from behind to send their tie against Inter to extra time and then penalties after the tie was all square after 120 minutes.
Dortmund's third minute goal from Jadon Sancho kicked off a big win for the Germans, who are now off to the quarterfinals. Ian Maatsen's cross was bounced out of the penalty area but eventually landed at Julian Brandt's feet, who then sent the ball to Sancho for a cool finish from just outside the area.
The two sides played a competitive and fairly even match full of chances for each, including several clear cut opportunities for PSV to level the score. Luuk de Jong looked to send the game to extra time in the 95th minute but sent his shot well over the bar, and Marco Reus responded just moments later by scoring on the other end and officially sending his team through to their first spot in the last eight in three years.
A night that started well for Inter slowly dissolved as Atleti advance to the quarterfinals on penalties. The hosts were searching for a goal from the start but it was Inter who scored first through Federico Dimarco in the 33rd minute, but Antoine Griezmann equalized two minutes later to keep his side alive.
The game remained open throughout the second half and it was Atleti who were able to score again, courtesy of a goal from Memphis Depay in the 87th minute to send the game to extra time. Both sides continued to search for a go-ahead goal to no avail and so a penalty shootout beckoned that Atleti went on to win 3-2.
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Martinez lines up to keep Inter's hopes alive and sends the ball way over the net, with Atleti winning the shootout 3-2. It's Inter's first defeat of 2024, and a very brutal one.
Correa's up next for Atleti and takes a pwoerful strike, preserving Atleti's lead.
Acerbi sends his shot down the middle and scores, keeping Inter alive but they're still behind.
Riquelme steps up and converts, giving Atleti a lead for the first time in this shootout.
Klaassen is up and his shot is also saved by Oblak! Another chance for Atleti to take the lead.
Saul steps up with the chance to give Atleti the lead but Sommer makes a stop with his feet, keeping things level in this shootout!
Sanchez goes next for Inter but Oblak is up for the challenge and saves the penalty! Atleti have a chance to take the lead if they convert their next.
Memphis Depay is up for Atleti and after sending this tie to extra time, he keeps Atleti even in the shootout.
Calhanoglu is up first for Inter and quickly converts to give his side a strong start.
They tried, but neither Atleti nor Inter found the goals they were looking for in extra time and so we go to our second penalty shootout in two days after not seeing one in the Champions League in nearly eight years.
113' Inter have been doing all the work in the second half of extra time, with a couple of shots from Calhanoglu serving as their best opportunities to score. The midfielder also took a freekick that felt within scoring range but managed to do little with it.
These first 15 minutes haven't lacked shots, but Depay's shot is the lone shot on target. Again, it's clear both sides want that go-ahead goal. Whether or not we'll see it, though, is a different story.
99' Depay is close to scoring another on one side of the pitch and a few minutes later, Martinez is unable to convert a free header on the other end. It's been a fairly lively start to extra time but we're still waiting for that go-ahead goal both teams are clearly searching for.
Dortmund are officially through to the quarterfinals but in Madrid, there's still plenty to play for. Atleti and Inter are officially underway in extra time, 24 hours after Arsenal and Porto went to penalties.
90'+5 Moments after de Jong's miss nearly cements PSV's elimination, Reus makes it unquestionable that Dortmund will be through with a smooth finish from close range.
87' Atleti have been knocking on the door and at long last they get their goal, courtesy of Memphis Depay's strike from close range. They're up 2-1 today, tied 2-2 in the tie and almost certainly bound for extra time with Inter.
77' Just two minutes after coming on, Reus sends a skilled ball towards Fullkrug and he puts it in the back of the net. After a lengthy VAR check, though, the goal is taken back for offside. Dortmund are still in charge here, but one goal from PSV will level the scoreline.
70' Inter have had way more of the ball but Atleti have been eagerly looking for a goal to level the aggregate score, with Griezmann and Morata forcing saves out of Sommer.
58' PSV have been on the front foot to start the second half, clearly recognizing that they're in need of a goal. They're already up to three shots so far this half, with the likes of de Jong and Teze forcing saves out of the goalkeeper and Lozano hitting the post.
Play has resumed in Dortmund and Madrid, and at the latter venue, players returned to the pitch while the stadium speakers blared The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go," which feels like an appropriate tune for a knockout match.
Here are your scores at the break.
All in all, an entertaining first 45 minutes in both Madrid and Dortmund. While the Jadon Sancho redemption narrative is brewing in Germany, the competition is heating up in Spain but the narrow margins in both games mean something fun could be in store in the second half. Fingers crossed.
35' Two minutes after Dimarco scores for Inter, Griezmann does the same for Atleti at the other end to make things 1-1 on the day. Inter still lead 2-1 in the tie but it is officially game on.
33' Barella makes a forward run and Dimarco makes a supporting run, allowing the latter to take advantage when the ball falls at his feet from close range. Inter are up 1-0 today and 2-0 in the tie against Atleti.
20' From an offensive standpoint, Atleti are already doing better compared to the first leg. They ended the last game with zero shots on target and already have two today, but after keeping Inter at bay for the opening 10 minutes, have conceded three shots at their goal.
3' Dortmund build a solid attacking play and though PSV's defense plays a bit of pinball in order to get rid of Maatsen's corss, the ball eventually falls to Brandt on the edge of the penalty area. He plays a slick ball to Sancho and he scores a stunner from distance. Dortmund have an early lead today and now have a 2-1 lead in the tie.
For one last time, another batch of round of 16 matches is officially underway.
PSV's recent rise in the Netherlands has included a quartet of Americans -- players Sergino Dest, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi and director of football Earnie Stewart. Ahead of their big second leg match today, some of them spoke to Alexis Guerrero about the unique position they find themselves in as the USMNT prepares for the 2025 World Cup.
Fresh off being named to the USMNT roster for the Nations League finals, Dest and Tillman were also named amongst PSV's starters for their match at Dortmund. Here's a look at both teams.
Dortmund starting XI: Kobel, Sule, Can, Hummels, Maatsen, Ozcan, Sabitzer, Malen, Brandt, Sancho, Fullkrug
PSV starting XI: Benitez, Teze, Schouten, Boscagli, Dest, Veerman, Til, Junior, Bakayoko, de Jong, Tillman
Griezmann and Morata lead the line for Atleti, while Thuram and Martinez do the same for Inter. Here's how both teams will line up for the high-stakes matchup.
Atleti starting XI: Oblak, Savic, Witsel, Hermoso, Molina, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lion, Griezmann, Morata
Inter starting XI: Sommer, Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Martinez, Thuram
