MADRID, April 14 (Reuters): Holders Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League after being stifled by a brilliantly well-organised Atletico Madrid and undone by two goals from Antoine Griezmann in a 2-0 quarter-final second-leg defeat on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, booked their fifth successive Champions League semi-final spot with a 2-2 draw at Benfica to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Griezmann headed home Saul Niguez's exquisite cross to give the home side the lead in the 36th minute and provide them with a platform from which they comfortably contained their uncharacteristically limp opponents to seal a 3-2 aggregate win.
The France forward scored again from the penalty spot with two minutes remaining, following a handball from Andres Iniesta, to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory that eliminated Barca at the quarter-final stage for the second time in three seasons. Barcelona, who were bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League, seem to have run out of steam at the end of the season, having won just one of their last five matches.
They have not looked the same side since their 39-game unbeaten run ended at the start of the month and they came into the Wednesday's match on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.
The Atletico supporters created a fervent atmosphere and the noise at kick-off spurred the hosts into a strong start, with Gabi blazing over and Yannick Carrasco and Griezmann testing Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Atletico took the lead in the tie on away goals when Saul carved out a cross with the outside of his boot towards Griezmann who headed into the top corner.
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Atletico Madrid forward Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (right) and Barca left back Jordi Alba raise their boots to try and win the ball.[/caption]
"We never stopped believing, we never give up what we want to do,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. "It was lovely to watch from the touchline. These moments won’t come back because they are unique in football."
Bayern wins in aggregate to reach 5th Champions League semi-final in a row
