Champions League Quarterfinals First Leg Recap

The first legs of the Champions League quarterfinals concluded Wednesday, April 10 as Europe’s biggest soccer competition continued. All four matchups were even and low scoring ties which have left everyone wondering anything that can happen next week. Here’s what happened Tuesday and Wednesday in the Champions League.

Tottenham and Liverpool Get The Job Done At Home

Tuesday, Tottenham Hotspur shocked onlookers and grabbed a 1-0 win at home against favorites Manchester City. A late goal in the second half by forward Son Heung-min gave Spurs the lead before the second leg. The bad part is Tottenham will have to play the second leg next week without their main star Harry Kane who got an ankle injury during the game.

In Liverpool, the Reds grabbed a comfortable 2-0 win against F.C. Porto and got themselves a foot into the semifinals. Two goals early in the first half by midfielder Naby Keita and forward Roberto Firmino were enough to grab the win. F.C Porto were unable to grab a vital away goal and will have to pull an almost impossible comeback at home.

The Allianz Stadium In Turin Will Decide.

Ajax and Juventus draw 1-1 in Amsterdam and save the best for the second leg in Turin. A wonderful header from forward Cristiano Ronaldo right before halftime gave Juventus a vital away goal. Ronaldo has now scored 125 goals in the Champions League and his 41st goal in the quarterfinals.

Despite Ronaldo’s go ahead, Juventus’ lead didn’t last long. Just seconds after the whistle that began the second half, Ajax forward David Neres scored his first goal of the season.  His goal was the 9th fastest goal to start a second half in the history of the Champions League. Next week, this young and impressive Ajax squad will go to Turin and try to eliminate a more experienced Juventus side. Juventus haven’t been eliminated since 1999 after drawing or winning the first match away from home.

Barca Dreams in the ‘Theater of Dreams’

After beating Manchester United 1-0 Wednesday, Barcelona grabbed its first ever victory at Old Trafford. An own goal by United defender Luke Shaw in the 12th minute gave the Catalans the lead in the tie. For the rest of the match we saw a United side that wanted to hurt Barcelona, but were simply not good enough. A Barcelona side on second gear was more than enough to grab a historic win. Barcelona have advanced in 40 out of the last 42 times after winning the first leg away from home.