Breathtaking Borussia Dortmund defeat Atlético Madrid to advance in thriller
After a tense first-leg meeting, the opening five minutes whetted the appetite for fans this evening in a frantic start. Dortmund should have gone ahead with ease had Marcel Sabitzer pulled the trigger on a half-empty net. Likewise Alvaro Morata spurned a guilt-edged one-on-one chance with the subsequent attack. Perhaps early nerves still nipping at the minds of either side.
With the Schwartz und Gelb atmosphere simmering in the Rührpott, goals started to follow. Dortmund enjoyed large spells of possession as their attacking forays developed threat. Atlético Madrid found their rearguard pierced in the 34th minute. Mats Hummels' delightful pass controlled by Brandt whose venomous shot proved too much for Oblak. With a mirror image attack, Edin Terzić’s side sat 2-0 to the good. Ian Maatsen cutting inside and drilling to the net.
After a tactical rejigging mastermineded by Diego Simione, the tie flipped on its head again. Atléti snatched a lifeline inside four second-half minutes which briefly silenced the home crowd. A healthy slice of good fortune saw Mario Hermoso's tame header deflected past Kobel by Hummels. Just after the hour it was 2-2. After several blocks, a flurry of efforts by Angel Correa finally crept in underneath the crossbar.
The ghosts of BVB's season looked set to haunt them again. However a sting remained in the Borussen's tail. Marcel Sabitzer the architect of sheer heroics in a three-minute spell. The first, a delightful cross onto the head of Niklas Füllkrug, an old school header from the striker nestled in the top corner. For the second, the Austrian midfielder pounced on loose ball to fizz the ball past the despairing Oblak. A night to savour in the Westfalenstadion as Die Schwarzgelben march on to the semi-finals.