There are no words to exactly describe what happened in those two legs, so let's just get straight into it.
BARCELONA vs LIVERPOOL
The winners of this tie were largely predicted to go on to win the whole competition and after the first leg, it looked like Barcelona were on their way to Madrid. It was 3-0 but Liverpool did not play like a team that lost 3-0. They deserved far better and were undone by fortune and brilliance. Had Roberto Firmino been fit, Liverpool would easily have scored a couple of the chances they created. He wasn't and Liverpool were left to rue them. Luis Suarez opened the scoring before Lionel Messi added two, a tap in and spectacular free kick. The crucial moment of the match, though, was not the goals, but Dembele's miss in added time. He had a one-on-one versus Alisson and somehow spooned the ball straight at the keeper. After all the chances Liverpool failed to put away, Barcelona would be the ones ruing just one chance.
The second leg turned out to be Anfield's greatest European comeback. Many have mentioned other famous nights (Olympiakos, Saint Etienne), but none come close to this. Barcelona arrived much like they were already into the final, that mentality was damning. They were second to every ball and could not keep up with Liverpool's intensity. Divock Origi, replacing an injured Firmino, and with Liverpool also missing Mo Salah, opened the scoring in the 7th minute. 1-0 at half time, it was still in Barcelona's hands. Gini Wijnaldum came on for an injured Andy Robertson and within 10 minutes, Liverpool were level on aggregate. Wijnaldum scoring twice, a powerful finish from the edge of the box and a sublime header. Anfield had erupted, Barcelona were asleep. As extra time beckoned, Liverpool won a corner. Trent Alexander-Arnold, just 20 years of age, produced an astonishing corner routine. Pretending to walk away from the corner flag, he checked back and crossed the ball for Origi to slam past a shocked Barcelona. Liverpool had done the unthinkable and just beaten Barcelona 4-0, reminiscent of Barcelona's embarrassing 3-0 defeat Roma last season. It was meant to be their year, but Barcelona will be without the one trophy they crave so much for another year. Liverpool, though, are through to successive Champions League finals.
TOTTENHAM vs AJAX
The winners of this tie were largely predicted to go on and lose in the final, being the inferior opponent. Ajax dominated the first 20 minutes of the first leg and were rewarded for their dominance, as Donny van de Beek coolly slot past Hugo Lloris. A nasty head injury to Jan Vertonghen forced him off and that was the change Tottenham needed. A switch of formation put Tottenham into the ascendancy but Spurs were unable to find the back of the net. Ajax nearly double their lead when David Neres struck the post but the Dutchmen had to settle for a 1-0 lead, but Tottenham knew the tie wasn't over.
A home Champions League semi-final for Ajax is something that the fans have dreamt about for decades, and they didn't disappoint, creating a ferocious atmosphere to rival Anfield 24 hours before. It was a dream start for Ajax when Matthijs de Ligt rose highest and headed into the bottom corner and things got even better when Hakim Ziyech smashed in Ajax's second to put them 3-0 ahead on aggreagate. Tottenham looked dead and buried... but where they? Fernando Llorent's introduction turned the game on its head. Ajax returned from the break psychologically already in the final. They weren't prepared for Llorente's aerial threat. Tottenham's were able to beat the Ajax press by hitting it long to Llorente and hoping Alli, Son and Moura picked up the second ball. Alli played in Moura who made it 1-0. Great play down the right led to Llorente somehow missing but luckily for him, Moura was again on hand to equalise for Tottenham. 2-2 and Ajax were looking nervous. Ziyech hit the post and Vertonghen hit the bar but, with the standing at 95:01, the ball hit the back of the net, the Ajax net. Ajax were on the floor, inconsolable. Tottenham were on the floor, delirious. For a club renowned as being bottlers, Spurs showed no signs of that label yesterday. Tottenham a through to their first ever Champions League final and for Ajax, their team will be broken apart and their dream is now over.
The Champions League final is an all-English tie, not the Cruyff derby like I predicted. The heroics of both teams over the last couple of days has been incredible. There genuinely is nothing like the Champions League on planet earth. Join me on May 31st for my preview of the final.
TWITTER - @FourAddedMins
BARCELONA vs LIVERPOOL
The winners of this tie were largely predicted to go on to win the whole competition and after the first leg, it looked like Barcelona were on their way to Madrid. It was 3-0 but Liverpool did not play like a team that lost 3-0. They deserved far better and were undone by fortune and brilliance. Had Roberto Firmino been fit, Liverpool would easily have scored a couple of the chances they created. He wasn't and Liverpool were left to rue them. Luis Suarez opened the scoring before Lionel Messi added two, a tap in and spectacular free kick. The crucial moment of the match, though, was not the goals, but Dembele's miss in added time. He had a one-on-one versus Alisson and somehow spooned the ball straight at the keeper. After all the chances Liverpool failed to put away, Barcelona would be the ones ruing just one chance.
The second leg turned out to be Anfield's greatest European comeback. Many have mentioned other famous nights (Olympiakos, Saint Etienne), but none come close to this. Barcelona arrived much like they were already into the final, that mentality was damning. They were second to every ball and could not keep up with Liverpool's intensity. Divock Origi, replacing an injured Firmino, and with Liverpool also missing Mo Salah, opened the scoring in the 7th minute. 1-0 at half time, it was still in Barcelona's hands. Gini Wijnaldum came on for an injured Andy Robertson and within 10 minutes, Liverpool were level on aggregate. Wijnaldum scoring twice, a powerful finish from the edge of the box and a sublime header. Anfield had erupted, Barcelona were asleep. As extra time beckoned, Liverpool won a corner. Trent Alexander-Arnold, just 20 years of age, produced an astonishing corner routine. Pretending to walk away from the corner flag, he checked back and crossed the ball for Origi to slam past a shocked Barcelona. Liverpool had done the unthinkable and just beaten Barcelona 4-0, reminiscent of Barcelona's embarrassing 3-0 defeat Roma last season. It was meant to be their year, but Barcelona will be without the one trophy they crave so much for another year. Liverpool, though, are through to successive Champions League finals.
TOTTENHAM vs AJAX
The winners of this tie were largely predicted to go on and lose in the final, being the inferior opponent. Ajax dominated the first 20 minutes of the first leg and were rewarded for their dominance, as Donny van de Beek coolly slot past Hugo Lloris. A nasty head injury to Jan Vertonghen forced him off and that was the change Tottenham needed. A switch of formation put Tottenham into the ascendancy but Spurs were unable to find the back of the net. Ajax nearly double their lead when David Neres struck the post but the Dutchmen had to settle for a 1-0 lead, but Tottenham knew the tie wasn't over.
A home Champions League semi-final for Ajax is something that the fans have dreamt about for decades, and they didn't disappoint, creating a ferocious atmosphere to rival Anfield 24 hours before. It was a dream start for Ajax when Matthijs de Ligt rose highest and headed into the bottom corner and things got even better when Hakim Ziyech smashed in Ajax's second to put them 3-0 ahead on aggreagate. Tottenham looked dead and buried... but where they? Fernando Llorent's introduction turned the game on its head. Ajax returned from the break psychologically already in the final. They weren't prepared for Llorente's aerial threat. Tottenham's were able to beat the Ajax press by hitting it long to Llorente and hoping Alli, Son and Moura picked up the second ball. Alli played in Moura who made it 1-0. Great play down the right led to Llorente somehow missing but luckily for him, Moura was again on hand to equalise for Tottenham. 2-2 and Ajax were looking nervous. Ziyech hit the post and Vertonghen hit the bar but, with the standing at 95:01, the ball hit the back of the net, the Ajax net. Ajax were on the floor, inconsolable. Tottenham were on the floor, delirious. For a club renowned as being bottlers, Spurs showed no signs of that label yesterday. Tottenham a through to their first ever Champions League final and for Ajax, their team will be broken apart and their dream is now over.
The Champions League final is an all-English tie, not the Cruyff derby like I predicted. The heroics of both teams over the last couple of days has been incredible. There genuinely is nothing like the Champions League on planet earth. Join me on May 31st for my preview of the final.
TWITTER - @FourAddedMins
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