Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid powered their way into the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday, with home defeats of Manchester United and Barcelona.
Bayern - hoping to become the first team to win back-to-back titles for 24 years - came from behind to beat United 3-1, with goals from Mario Mandzukic, Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben, after Patrice Evra had given United a shock lead.
Bayern went through on a comfortable 4-2 aggregate, having battled out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Manchester.
“They scored the first goal so it was a tricky tie but in the end 3-1 was a very good result,” said Bayern’s Robben.
“It was important to score straight after they made it 1-0. It was a wake-up call because the first 10 minutes in the second half were a disaster - we were slow and were not there. You can’t do that in the Champions League.
“After that we scored three goals. We wanted to attack and they were playing on the counter so you have to be careful.”
Meanwhile in Madrid, Atletico beat Barca 1-0 thanks to an early goal from youngster Koke. Atletico went through on a tight 2-1 aggregate.
This is the furthest that Atletico have gone in the competition since 1974, when they lost a replayed final to Bayern. They are the only still-unbeaten side in the competition this season.
In Munich, Bayern enjoyed almost 70 per cent possession in the first half but failed to break down a well-drilled United defence.
United, without the injured Robin Van Persie, took a surprise lead in the 58th minute through a 25-metre drive from left-back Patrice Evra.
But Bayern struck back just 22 seconds later, when Mandzukic headed in a centre from Franck Ribery.
Mueller made it 2-1 eight minutes later by flicking home a centre from Robben, then Robben himself sealed the win by making it 3-1 with one of his trademark goals cutting in from the right - with the help of a deflection off Nemanja Vidic.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid fans were enjoying a memorable night in the packed Estadio Calderon.
Despite being without injured striker Diego Costa, Atletico set off like an express train and could have been three goals up within 20 minutes.
The only goal came in the sixth minute when Koke volleyed home a clever header from Adrian, who seconds earlier had hit the Barca post.
Veteran David Villa then twice hit the Barca woodwork, with the groggy Catalans all at sea.
Barca gradually took control in midfield, with Atletico content to sit back and play on the break. Lionel Messi and Neymar came close to equalising for the visitors but lacked sharpness in front of goal.
“The first 20 minutes were terrible, but after that both teams had their chances,” said Barca boss Gerardo Martino.
Meanwhile, Martino’s Atletico counterpart, fellow Argentine Diego Simeone, said, “We are very happy because we have overcome great opponents. I have so much admiration for our players. I love them because of their commitment to the club, they were magnificent tonight.”
