The second leg of the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League saw Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon and Spanish giants Valencia knocked out of the competition by Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid respectively. While Athletic Bilbao overcame a 1-2 first leg deficit, Atletico Madrid continued their supremacy over Valencia, by beating them 5-2 on aggregate.

Valencia 0-1 Atletico (Adrian Lopez 60’)

Atletico were the favourites going into the second leg, having won their home tie by a 4-2 scoreline. However, Valencia were expectedly the dominant force at home and had numerous half-chances in the first half, with Jonas and Roberto Soldado coming close.

It was a match that went the full distance and it was a penalty shootout which decided the fate of the second UEFA Champions League semi-final. Real Madrid could score only once in the shootout in response to Bayern’s three goals which meant the German side now enter their 2^nd UCL final in 4 years and will attempt to become the first team since Inter Milan did it almost 50 years ago to win the European Cup in their own home.

Real Madrid who had a 100 percent record at home in the Champions League this season were off to a flyer when they were awarded a controversial penalty which Ronaldo converted in the 5^th min. The Portuguese then scored again with a calm finish in the 14^th minute after being given acres of space by Bayern defenders. Bayern equalised through former Madrid winger Arjen Robben’s penalty in the 27^th minute, Pepe being the culprit as he brought down Gomez when he was through on goal. (Read full report here)

Bayern Munich booked a date with Chelsea for the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in May as they edged out Spanish giants Real Madrid on penalties in an enthralling contest at the Santiago Bernabeu. After yesterday’s match saw Chelsea dump tournament favourites Barcelona out of the competition, Bayern pulled off another upset of sorts by knocking out 9-time champions Real Madrid. A thrilling first half saw Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice within the first 15 minutes to put a dent in Bayern’s hopes.

The Germans, however, played some terrific football of their own and managed to draw level on aggregate through Arjen Robben’s penalty in the 27^th minute. Real, who looked a bit tired after their league heroics against Barcelona, were surprisingly defensive in the second half and the game went to extra-time and then penalties as neither side managed to find the decisive goal.

It was a match of attack vs defence at the Camp Nou, as Chelsea parked the bus and held fort admirably and even scored when they got their chance to hold Barcelona to a 2-2 draw, thereby securing an entry into just their second Champion league final. The Blues came from 2-0 down and even had John Terry sent off in the first half for a foul on Alexis Sanchez. Goals from Ramires and Fernando Torres, both in added time of either half respectively, cancelled out Sergio Busquets’ and Andres Iniesta’s strikes for the Catalans as Chelsea booked a place in Munich.(Read Full Report Here)

Barcelona :

Victor Valdes – 5

Came up too early for the Chelsea goal and gave Ramires the chance to chip him. Unfortunately knocked Pique out of the game while punching the ball clear. His decision making was not up to the mark throughout the game.

Barcelona’s European reign came to a crashing halt as Chelsea knocked out the defending champions 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals after the 2^nd leg at the Nou Camp finished 2-2. Chelsea can now pack their bags for Munich, where they will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. An enthralling night of football saw the pendulum swing both ways as Barcelona took a 2-0 lead against 10-man Chelsea, who had John Terry sent-off late in the first half. The goals came from Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta as the Catalans overturned the 1^st leg lead held by Chelsea. But Ramires scored the vital away goal in added time at the end of the first half and Chelsea were back in the driving seat.

Petr Cech was a giant in goal for Chelsea as he thwarted Barca on numerous occasions, but the turning point was undoubtedly Lionel Messi's penalty miss at the start of the 2nd half, which prevented Barca from regainging the lead while giving Chelsea a great filip. The English giants then performed a superhuman defensive effort in the 2^nd half as they kept an off-color Barca largely at bay. Fernando Torres then ensured Chelsea won the game outright as he scored in added time to send Chelsea through to their 2^nd final while Barca contemplate over a failed season.

The Spanish La Liga title is headed on its way to the Santiago Bernabeu after Real Madrid secured a vital 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico at the Nou Camp. Los Blancos have now extended their lead at the top to seven points after collecting their first win at the Nou Camp since 2007 and also Jose Mourinho’s first league triumph against Barca as Madrid manager. Sami Khedira opened the scoring in the 17^th minute from close ranger after Victor Valdes made a mistake from a corner.

The Catalan giants were well below their usual best as they seemed to suffer from their mid-week European exertions. Alexis Sanchez then levelled proceedings with twenty minutes remaining as the home side’s faint title hopes seemed to be momentarily renewed. But Cristiano Ronaldo has the final say as the Portuguese superstar scored the winner three minutes later to take his tally to an incredible 54 goals and more importantly hand Madrid the three points. It was Barcelona's first home defeat of the season and also only the 2nd time under Pep Guardiola that they had lost back-to-back games.

Pep Guardiola made a few changes to the side that lost at Chelsea in mid-week, mainly in the attack where Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas made way for Cristian Tello and Thiago respectively. The rest of the side kept their places as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets held together the midfield while at the back Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol were the central pair. Finally, Dani Alves and Adriano bombed down the wings from their wing-back positions.