ADVERTISEMENTWelcome to this special edition of The Corner where we take a look at this week’s Champions League action.
While Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal matches both ended in 1-1 draws, Wednesday’s clashes were not so close with Paris Saint Germain producing a superb display to outclass Chelsea and Real Madrid thumping Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Let’s start at Old Trafford where holders Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Manchester United side.
Nemanja Vidic opened the scoring in the 58th minute before Bastian Schweinsteiger equalised 8 minutes later with a superb half-volley.
Elsewhere, Spanish giants Barcelona salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid.
Substitute Diego unleashed a venomous shot just after the restart to put the visitors ahead but Neymar equalised in the 71st minute
after Andres Iniesta managed to split the Atletico defence with an outstanding ball in behind three defenders.
Paris Saint Germain downed Chelsea 3-1 on home soil.
Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi put the hosts ahead in the third minute after drilling a superb volley in the top corner.
Jose Mourinho’s men equalised just before the break thanks to Belgian international Eden Hazard but were unable to hold on as David Luiz scored an own goal in the second half and Javier Pastore added a third in injury time.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid remain on course to reach the semi-finals after hammering Borussia Dortmund 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Former Spurs winger Gareth Bale opened the scoring in the third minute as Karim Benzema and Isco linked up perfectly to allow the Welshman to finish from close range.
Isco doubled their advantage 15 minutes later, before Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo made sure of the win in the second half with a clinical finish, giving los Merengues a major boost ahead of the second leg which will take place on April 8.
That’s it for this edition of “The Corner”. Join us again on Monday for a round up of European football.