Soccer

Sabitzer sends Dortmund past Atletico to set up Champions League semi-final with PSG

Dortmund overturn first leg deficit to reach the semi-finals for the first time since their run to the final in 2013

Dortmund's Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer celebrates scoring the winner against Atletico Madrid. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images
Dortmund's Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer celebrates scoring the winner against Atletico Madrid. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images
Tue Apr 16 2024 - 22:04
Champions League: Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Atlético Madrid (Dortmund win 5-4 on aggregate)

Borussia Dortmund stormed into the Champions League semi-finals with a rip-roaring 4-2 home win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday that saw them fight back from a 2-1 defeat in the first leg to win the tie 5-4 on aggregate.

The German side scored twice in the first half and looked to be cruising into the last four, but Atletico bounced back with two goals early in the second half to put Dortmund on the ropes before they dug deep to complete a superb comeback.

The game got off to a flying start, and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer was only prevented from putting the home side ahead in the third minute by a last-ditch block from Cesar Azpilicueta as the home side came flying out of the blocks.

Julian Brandt put Dortmund level on aggregate in the 34th minute, latching on to a brilliant pass from Mats Hummels and firing home, and five minutes later Dortmund took the lead in the quarter-final tie as Ian Maatsen cut in from the left and drilled a perfectly-placed shot in at the foot of the far post.

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Atletico coach Diego Simeone made a triple substitution at the break and it paid dividends almost immediately as Dortmund defender Hummels turned the ball into his own net in the 49th minute, and substitute Angel Correa put the Spaniards back in the lead in the tie in the 64th minute, scoring at the second attempt.

However, the home side struck back and striker Niclas Fuellkrug made it 4-4 on aggregate with a brilliant glancing header from Sabitzer’s cross in the 74th minute.

The home fans had barely retaken their seats following that goal when Sabitzer popped up on the edge of the box, steadying himself with an excellent first touch before drilling home the winner in front of an ecstatic crowd three minutes later.