Wednesday 15 April, 2026

Ademola Lookman scored the goal that sent Atlético Madrid to the Champions League semi-finals. Nigeria now has three players in the competition's top scorers list.

Barcelona came to Madrid last night needing to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit. They started brilliantly. Lamine Yamal scored in the fourth minute. Ferran Torres added a second in the 24th. The tie was level. The Metropolitano went quiet.

Then Marcos Llorente broke down the right and found Ademola Lookman at the far post. Lookman swept it in on the first touch. 31st minute. Job done.

Barcelona pressed for the rest of the game. A Torres goal was ruled out for offside by VAR. Eric García was sent off in the 80th minute. Atlético held on and won 3-2 on aggregate. Their first Champions League semi-final since 2016/17.

Lookman has now scored 8 goals in 21 Champions League appearances across his career. Only Victor Osimhen (16 goals) and Obafemi Martins (9 goals) have scored more in the competition as Nigerian players. Since joining Atlético from Atalanta in January, he has 9 goals and 6 assists across all competitions.

"Going 2-0 down was tough," Lookman said. "A game of two halves, really. We dug in."

Atlético face the winners of tonight's tie between Arsenal and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal lead 1-0 from the first leg, with Kai Havertz's stoppage-time goal from April 7 giving them the advantage. That second leg is currently underway.

Whatever happens tonight, there is a Nigerian in the last four of the Champions League. Lookman arrived at Atlético in January when few expected much from the transfer. He has now scored the goal that eliminated Barcelona.