Borussia Dortmund beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate to set up a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, the hosts needed to score first at a rocking Westfalenstadion and that is exactly what they did, taking the lead thanks to Julian Brandt’s well-taken 34th-minute strike.
Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen doubled Dortmund’s lead just five minutes later after a lovely flowing move, only for Atletico to hit back in the second half as Diego Simeone’s three half-time changes had an immediate effect.
Mats Hummels’s own goal four minutes after the interval gave the visitors the impetus they needed, with substitute Angel Correa pulling them level on the night – and ahead on aggregate – just past the hour mark.
However, those twin strikes only served to wake the home team up as first Niclas Fullkrug’s (71) wonderful glancing header brought them level again on aggregate, before an equally eye-catching finish from Marcel Sabitzer (74) saw them progress.
How Dortmund set up Champions League semi with PSG
Without their first-leg scorer Sebastian Haller due to an ankle injury, Dortmund had to shuffle their pack, meaning a start for Julian Brandt and it was the experienced Germany international who made the crucial first-half breakthrough.
The playmaker collected Hummels’ lofted pass in the box, before beating Jan Oblak at his near post, although the Atleti No 1 could have done better, not that the ‘keeper could have done much about the hosts’ second soon after.
Jadon Sancho, Karim Adeyemi and Sabitzer were all involved, with the latter’s clever pass releasing Maatsen into the box, with the Dutchman finding the far corner with a low drive to put Dortmund ahead on aggregate at the interval.
Simeone responded to his team’s lethargic first-half display by making a triple change at the break, and they worked as the visitors scored twice in the opening 20 minutes of the second period to seemingly take control of the tie.
Firstly, Hummels inadvertently stuck his leg out to deflect Mario Hermoso’s far-post header past Gregor Kobel, before Correa – a lively presence after coming on at the break – put his side ahead on aggregate with an emphatic finish following a goalmouth scramble.
Dortmund showed great heart, though, to hit back in the final 20 minutes thanks to two world-class finishes from Fullkrug’s head, after being set up by Sabitzer’s inviting cross, before the Austrian himself struck a spectacular winner from the edge of the area to send the Westfalenstadion into raptures and set up a semi-final date with PSG, who they faced in the group stage.
What’s next?
Dortmund face Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday April 21, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 4.30pm.
Atletico Madrid, sitting fourth in LaLiga, visit Alaves on Sunday. Kick-off 5.30pm.
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket and so much more.
Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp!
You can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel!
Find out more here.