Man City hang on against Atleti; Liverpool dispatch Benfica

Sports Desk, Apr 13 (EFE).- Manchester City held an intense Atletico Madrid side scoreless Wednesday to win the tie 1-0 and advance to the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid, who have hoisted the trophy a record 13 times.

Liverpool, meanwhile, conceded twice in the last 20 minutes to draw 3-3 with Benfica and prevail 6-4 on aggregate.

After taking a defensive approach in the first leg at the Etihad, Atleti started Wednesday’s clash at the Wanda Metropolitano needing to both stymie the potent City attack and create something going forward.

The Colchoneros were much better than last week in Manchester, outshooting Pep Guardiola’s men 14-10, but they failed to put anything past Ederson, who thwarted Angel Correa in the 12th minute of stoppage time to seal the victory.

City, who lost last year’s final to Chelsea, are in pursuit of a first Champions League title.

Liverpool, the 2019 Champions League winners, led their tie with Benfica 3-1 after the first leg in Lisbon. Jürgen Klopp, with his eye on Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal against Man City, took the opportunity to rest many of his starters.

By the 65th minute, the Reds were up on Ibrahima Konate’s goal in the first half and a brace by Roberto Firmino, while Gonçalo Ramos scored for the visitors.

Ukrainian international Roman Yaremchuk pulled back a goal for Benfica in the 73rd minute and Darwin Nuñez narrowed the deficit to 6-4 in the 81st.

While the traveling Benfica supporters grew excited, the miracle was not to be, and Liverpool will begin preparing for a semifinal clash with Villarreal, who upset Bayern Munich to reach the last four. EFE id-msg/dr