First Leg Quarter-Finals

First Leg Quarter-Finals

Time Stamp: April 14, 2024 11:07 AM
Source Node: 2545590

This week had 18 goals, controversy, and momentum swings for the ages. Last year’s first leg quarter-finals only had 8 goals, comparatively. Here is a summary of the action.

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

City got off to a blistering start after Bernardo Silva caught Madrid’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin off guard with a clever free kick to the near post in the second minute.

City’s lead would not last long, as Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga shot from outside the box, with a big deflection off Rúben Dias, directing the ball into the back of the net in the 12th minute.

Then, no more than two minutes later, Madrid winger Rodrygo got loose down the sideline and ran half the length of the pitch before slotting home past City’s Ortega. This gave Madrid a 2-1 lead.

The game would cool down for the remainder of the half before exploding again for 15 minutes in the second half.

In the 66th minute, City’s Phil Foden fired from just outside the box, curling a shot past Lunin into the far corner of the goal. City would then retake the lead after defender Joško Gvardiol fired from outside the box in the 71st minute, bringing the score to 3-2.

Madrid, however, did not fade into the night and tied the game in the 79th minute through midfielder Federico Valverde. Valverde volleyed a powerful shot into the bottom corner off a delicate cross from Vinicius Junior.

Final Score: 3-3

Arsenal vs. Bayern

The goals arrived quickly in North London, with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka giving the Gunners a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, through a clever side foot finish from inside the box.

Six minutes later, Bayern responded through former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry, who slid to reach a through ball from Leon Goretzka, eventually placing his shot past Arsenal’s David Raya.

With the score at 1-1, Bayern grabbed a foothold in the game, attacking large gaps in Arsenal’s midfield and defense. This lead to winger Leroy Sané going on a mazy run past several defenders before being fouled in the box by Arsenal’s William Saliba. The subsequent penalty was calmy dispatched by perpetual thorn in the side of the Gunners, Harry Kane, to bring the score to 2-1 in favor of Bayern in the 32nd minute.

Arsenal control the remainder of the game, having 60% of the possession, and 13 shots, while Bayern only had 8 shots, and just two on target. This dominance would pay dividends in the 76th minute, when Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus skipped past two defenders before serving Leandro Trossard, who shot first time past Bayern’s Manuel Neuer to bring the score to 2-2.

Final Score: 2-2

Atlético de Madrid vs. Dortmund

Early goals where a common theme in the first leg quarter-finals, as Atlético scored in 4th minute, through midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul intercepted a poor pass from Dortmund’s Ian Maatsen, before stabbing the ball into the back of the net with the outside of his right foot.

Madrid would double their advantage in the 32nd minute, when fullback Samuel Lino gently placed a finish into the far post after Madrid won back possession in the attacking third.

Dortmund had more possession (67%), but struggled to create quality chances, as they only registered 4 shots on target to Atlético’s 9. They would however get one back through striker Sébastien Haller in the 81st minute. Haller fired a half volley from inside after series of deflections, giving Dortmund a breath of fresh air before the game concluded.

Before the final whistle, both teams had a very good chances to add to the score, with Atlético’s Angel Correa getting loose in the box in the 84th after stealing the ball from Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, but his shot was easily saved by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Finally, Dormund nearly tied the game, when Julian Brandt fired a header off the crossbar in the 90 +5th minute, leaving Atlético’s Yan Oblak rooted to the turf.

Final Score: 2-1

Paris Saint Germain vs. F.C. Barcelona

PSG and Barcelona peppered each other with shots, as PSG had 18 (6 on target) to Barça’s 15 (7 on target). Barça opened the scoring in the 37th minute, when winger Raphinha placed a right footed shot into a nearly empty net. PSG’s goalkeeper missed preceding cross, leaving Raphinha with an empty net.

PSG responded in the second half, when former Barça player Ousmane Dembélé, fired a right footed into the roof of the near post in the 48th minute. PSG rode this wave of momentum, as midfielder Vitinha scored two minutes later. Vitinha darted into the box and shot in stride past Barça’s Ter-Stegen to bring the score to 2-1.

Barça would wrestle back control of the game, and in the 62nd minute Raphinha scored again, with a first time shot from inside the box follwing a clever through ball from star midfielder Pedri.

Barça then regained the lead in the 77th minute, when Andreas Christensen headed into the back of the net off an İlkay Gündoğan corner, to make the score 3-2.

Final Score: 3-2

Thank you for tuning to our UEFA Champions League First leg quarter-finals updates.

Keep up with The Game Haus further coverage on the Champions League throughout the week.

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