Champions League: Quarters Set
Real Madrid knocked out Manchester City and Sporting CP completed a comeback to reach the Champions League quarterfinals — the last-eight matchups are now official. Separately, Harry Kane became the first English player to reach 50 Champions League goals, a major individual milestone. ( )
Bernardo Silva was shown a straight red for blocking a Vinícius Jr. shot on the line in the 19th minute, VAR awarded a penalty which Vinícius converted, and the Brazilian added a second in stoppage time as Real Madrid won 2-1 at the Etihad. (en.as.com)) Real’s second-leg victory sealed a 5-1 aggregate progression after a 3-0 first-leg win at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 11, and the Etihad attendance was reported at 51,103. (espn.com)) Sporting CP overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit by beating Bodø/Glimt 5-0 after extra time at Estádio José Alvalade, with Gonçalo Inácio (34'), Pedro Gonçalves (61' and a 78' penalty), Maximiliano Araújo (92'), and Rafael Nel (120'+1') on the scoresheet. (espn.com)) The Lisbon side’s 5-3 aggregate win made them only the fifth club in Champions League history to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit and marked Sporting’s first return to the last eight since 1982–83. (sports.yahoo.com)) UEFA confirmed the quarter-final ties as Sporting CP vs Arsenal, Real Madrid vs Bayern München, Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool, with first legs scheduled for 7–8 April and return legs on 14–15 April (all 21:00 CET). (uefa.com)) Harry Kane scored twice in Bayern Munich’s 4-1 second-leg win over Atalanta to complete a 10-2 aggregate victory and become the first English player to reach 50 Champions League goals. (espn.com))
