Spurs undone by goalkeeping gamble; Yamal’s stoppage-time penalty rescues Barca
Paris: Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid moved close to the Champions League quarterfinals with emphatic victories, while Liverpool and Barcelona were left with work to do after difficult first-leg results.
Bayern thrashed Atalanta 6-1 despite starting without prolific striker Harry Kane, who remained on the bench due to fitness concerns. In his absence, Michael Olise struck twice while Serge Gnabry and Nicolas Jackson both scored and assisted goals. Josip Stanisic and Jamal Musiala also found the net in a commanding performance.
Atletico Madrid punished Tottenham Hotspur’s early mistakes to secure a 5-2 victory. Spurs coach Igor Tudor’s decision to start debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky backfired as Atletico raced to a 3-0 lead within 15 minutes through Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez. Robin Le Normand added a fourth before Tottenham mounted a late response.
Barcelona needed a dramatic stoppage-time penalty from teenage winger Lamine Yamal to salvage a 1-1 draw against Newcastle after Harvey Barnes had put the English side ahead in the 86th minute.
Liverpool, meanwhile, must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Galatasaray after Mario Lemina’s early header secured victory for the Turkish champions in Istanbul.
The second legs will decide the remaining quarterfinal spots next week.
