USMNT star Tyler Adams scored his first RB Leipzig goal to send his side to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time.
USMNT star Tyler Adams scored his first RB Leipzig goal to send his side to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time. - © imago images
USMNT star Tyler Adams scored his first RB Leipzig goal to send his side to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time. - © imago images
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Dani Olmo and Tyler Adams send RB Leipzig into UEFA Champions League semi-finals after stunning win over Atletico Madrid

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RB Leipzig will face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League semi-final after a late goal from USA international Tyler Adams gave them a momentous victory over Atletico Madrid in the last eight.

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RB Leipzig 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Goals: 1-0
Olmo (50'), 1-1 Felix pen. (71'), 2-1 Adams (88')

Without the departed Timo Werner, Leipzig started with Yussuf Poulsen as their main frontman in Lisbon on Thursday. The Danish forward soon made his physical presence count, and Julian Nagelsmann's side carved out the first opening when Marcel Halstenberg volleyed over when a corner wasn’t properly cleared after four minutes. Peter Gulacsi held on to a Stefan Savic header at the other end, and - despite an impressive start from Leipzig - he was soon called into action again. Yannick Carrasco got on the end of a Renan Lodi cut back, but the Hungarian goalkeeper made a smart save at his near post. The match was being played at a fierce tempo but both defences held firm, with Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano particularly impressive both on and off the ball. He almost had a goal to show for his efforts too, but after a strong spell of Leipzig pressure his header from a corner in first-half injury time was straight at Atletico keeper Jan Oblak.

Emboldened by their strong showing in the opening 45 minutes, Leipzig started the second in a similar manner. And five minutes after the restart they deservedly took the lead with a well-worked move. The Bundesliga side flooded the final third with bodies and when the ball was played to Marcel Sabitzer on the right, he had five men to aim for. One of them was Olmo, and the Spanish attacker beautifully guided his header into the far corner from 10 yards. Atletico sent on Joao Felix in response, and their big-money signing showed great skill to win a penalty. The 20-year-old duly thumped home the spot-kick past the outstretched hand of Gulacsi. Nagelsmann introduced Adams, Amadou Haidara and Patrik Schick, and it was the former who won the game with two minutes left. Sabitzer sliced open the Atletico defence with a beautiful ball wide to Angelino, and the Spaniard's cutback found Adams. The American tried his luck from the edge of the area and – with the help of a deflection off Savic - he sent Leipzig into the last four.

Match stats

  • Adams scored his first goal for Leipzig since his move from New York Red Bulls in January 2019.
  • Olmo, who scored three Bundesliga goals following his January move from Dinamo Zagreb, got his third goal in this season’s Champions League proper. It was the 22-year-old’s first for Leipzig.
  • Nagelsmann’s side will face PSG in the semi-final on Tuesday at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz, home of Benfica.
  • Three-time Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid’s 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions has come to an end.
  • Die Roten Bullen have won seven and lost one of the European knockout ties in their club's history.
  • This is Leipzig's first appearance in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, and only their ninth knockout tie in UEFA competition.

Dani Olmo's (r.) superb header put RB Leipzig ahead against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. - imago images

Line-ups

Leipzig: Gulasci - Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg - Laimer (Adams 72'), Sabitzer (Mukiele 90'), Kampl, Angelino - Olmo (Haidara 82'), Nkunku (Schick 82') - Poulsen (c)
Unused subs: Mvogo, Tschauner, Obran, Forsberg, Lookman, Novoa Ramos, Borkwoski, Wosz
Out: Henrichs (ineligible), Hwang (ineligible), Konate (hip)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Atletico: Oblak - Trippier, Gimenez, Savic, Lodi - Herrera (Felix 59'), Koke (c) (Felipe 90'), Saul, Carrasco - Llorente - Costa (Morata 72')
Unused subs: Adan, Arias, Partey, Lemar, Saponjic, Vitolo, Hermoso, Sanchez, Moya
Out: Correa (ill), Henrique (ineligible), Vrsaljko (knee)
Coach: Diego Simeone

As it happened!

FULL TIME! RB LEIPZIG ARE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALISTS!

There it is, Tyler Adams' late deflected goal has sent Leipzig into the final four of the Champions League. An outstanding team performance throughout which deserved victory at the end. Leipzig will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals on 18 August.

90+4' - OUTSTANDING DEFENDING!

Morata does fantastically to beat Upamecano in the box and looks destined to score, but Halstenberg comes up clutch with an incredible last-ditch interception to deny the Spaniard.

90' - ADDED TIME!

We're into five minutes of added time here in Lisbon and Nordi Mukiele is on for Sabitzer.

88' - GOAL! ADAMS PUTS LEIPZIG IN THE LEAD IN THE FINAL MINUTES!

Angelino's perfect run is met by a superb pass out wide to him on the left from Sabitzer. He produces a perfect cut-back to Adams who smashes a shot goalward and a deflection takes it past Oblak and into the back of the Atletico net.

85' - APPROACHING EXTRA-TIME

Nagelsmann calls for calm from the sidelines in his side as we approach the final minutes of normal time here. As things stands, we will go to extra-time unless one side can score a late goal. Both sides look capable of it, and once again, it's Leipzig looking to keep more of the ball.

82' - DOUBLE CHANGE

Nagelsmann has brought on Amadou Haidara and Patrik Schick here late on, replacing Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku.

78' - LEIPZIG ON THE BALL

Nagelsmann's side are back in control of the possession here in Lisbon as we approach the final 10 minutes. So far, Atletico have sat deep whenever Leipzig have the ball and are looking to break quickly as soon as they get it. One more break through the Atletico defence may well be enough for the Bundesliga side.

74' - ADAMS FIRES OVER

The USA international has a shot at goal from just outside the Atletico box, but sends it high over the crossbar. Leipzig being tested here now but have responded well.

72' - LEIPZIG CHANGE!

Tyler Adams is on for Konrad Laimer for Leipzig's first chance of the game just after the restart. Less than 20 minutes now for Leipzig to change their fortunes before we head into extra-time.

71' - ATLETICO LEVEL

Felix takes the penalty himself and smashes it beyond Gulacsi, who had dived the right way.

70' - PENALTY ATLETICO!

Klostermann brings down Felix in the box and Atletico have a penalty.

64' - ATLETICO COMING FORWARD

Still no shots on target in the second half so far for Atletico, which is a perfect sign for Leipzig. However, since going behind the Spanish side have had much more of the ball. Changes to come soon we're sure with Nagelsmann's side working their socks off here.

57' - NOW TO STAY ON TOP

Leipzig's intensity and pressing has not stopped here since taking the lead and that's important. Now Nagelsmann's side can work with the counter to try and make the most of an Atletico side that will come out of their shell more and more as the time ticks on here.

50' - GOAL! OLMO GIVES LEIPZIG THE LEAD!

Another superb start to this half and Leipzig make the most of it. The ball is kept superbly around the edge of the Atletico box and played out wide to Sabitzer on the right, who clips a cross into the middle and finds the head of Olmo. The Spaniard superbly glances the ball into the far bottom corner. What a start to this second half!

46' - KICK-OFF!

We're back underway for the second half in Lisbon with no changes to either side. Atletico will want to get more attacking play going while Leipzig will want to do the same, while keeping the control of the game's play very much in their hands.

HALF-TIME!

An inspired first half performance from Leipzig who dominated proceedings against their Spanish opposition. Nagelsmann's defence was impenetrable with Upamecano outstanding, while Kampl has been ticking things over in midfield. All that has missed is the finish touch with Halstenberg's volley in the opening minutes the closest that Leipzig have come to scoring, as well as Upamecano's header on goal in added time.

45+2' - UPAMECANO HEADER!

The Frenchman rises highest from a corner and sends a powerful header at goal, only for it to go straight down the throat of Oblak. The only thing Upamecano had yet to do so far was get an effort on target. He's been everywhere in this first half.

45' - ADDED TIME

We're into four minutes of added time at the end of the first half and Nagelsmann will be pleased. His side have been in control of this game for all but five minutes, however they themselves are still just missing that finishing touch in attack. They will be looking for more from Olmo, Nkunku and Poulsen in attack before too long.

41' - HALF CHANCE FOR LEIPZIG!

Kampl's clipped cross into the box is flicked on by Poulsen to Halstenberg, whose header back across goal just can't find anyone in the penalty area. Leipzig still on top here though and showing great composure against an experience European side tonight.

35' - CLASH OF HEADS

Halstenberg has been down for Leipzig after an aerial challenge with Savic which has seen both players come away with some blood to show for their efforts. They both look able to carry on, however.

30' - KAMPL DICTATING PLAY

With Sabitzer alongside him in midfield and playing at the base of a diamond in midfled, Kevin Kampl has been running the show so far for Leipzig. He's been the key in turning defence into attack when Leipzig have been able to. However, so far, Olmo, Nkunku and Poulsen haven't been able to combine quite how they would like in the first half until now.

25' - LEIPZIG SHOWING PATIENCE

Over 60 percent of the possession and 85 percent of challenges won so far for Leipzig. The Bundesliga side have been superb in the opening 25 minutes and are sticking to their gameplan. Patient build-up, working for great chances rather than going for many good/okay chances. Nagelsmann will be pleased.

19' - ATLETICO COMING INTO THE GAME

The Spanish side are building in confidence and Leipzig have just lost some of that control they had in the opening 10 minutes. Nagelsmann won't be discouraged, but he will want his side to make sure that they don't let Atletico begin to dictate the game.

15' - UPAMECANO BOSSING THINGS

The 21-year-old French centre-back has Diego Costa in control so far. The young defender has not only been strong in a challenge but also accomplished in possession, bringing the ball out from defence on several occasions so far.

13' - ATLETICO CHANCE

Lodi breaks away down the left flank and finds Carrasco on the run just inside him. He reaches the Leipzig box and sends a powerful shot at the near post, but Gulacsi makes a good save to deny him.

10' - ATLETICO CHANCE

Savic rises highest from Lodi's free-kick and sends a header at goal. Gulacsi is forced to step back in order to grab the ball but does so securely to make sure. The first time Atletico have come close to threatening and it comes from a set-piece.

7'  ALL LEIPZIG SO FAR

Nagelsmann's side have dominated the early possession here and have pressed superbly as a unit when without the ball to force mistakes from their Spanish opposition. Only Halstenberg finding the back of the net could have made a better start for Leipzig.

4' - HUGE CHANCE FOR HALSTENBERG!

A corner is only cleared as far as Angelino and he thumps it back into the box. It isn't cleared by the Atletico defence and the ball falls favourably for Halstenberg at the back post on his favoured left foot. His volley has no control, though, and the ball flies high over Oblak's goal. A big chance to open the scoring early on.

2' - TACTICAL MOVEMENT

You can see already how Leipzig's shape will be constantly changing this evening. Without the ball, they drop into a four-man defence with Angelino at left-back, but with the ball Laimer can be seen pushing out to the right flank to become a wing-back playing on the opposite flank to his Spanish teammate.

1' - KICK-OFF! 

We're underway for the biggest night and game in Leipzig's history so far. Can Nagelsmann's side continue their historical campaign and reach the competition's semi-finals...

READY TO RUMBLE

Nagelsmann: "We'll look to play our game, we’re focused on ourselves - anything can happen in just one game as opposed to two.

KICK-OFF 10 MINUTES AWAY

The players are just about done with their warm-ups in Lisbon and will be returning to the changing rooms for one last chat. What we would give to be a fly on the wall for Nagelsmann's final team-talk. Of course, Leipzig aren't the only Bundesliga team still in the Champions League. League winners Bayern Munich take on Barcelona tomorrow night in their quarter-final tie, which you can follow live here.

HISTORY BEING MADE

Die Roten Bullen have won six and lost one of the European knockout ties in their club's history, and have never been in a UEFA penalty shoot-out. Whatever the result tonight, it will be a night to remember for all Leipzig fans.

NAGELSMANN: "WE HAVE THE QUALITY TO CREATE CHANCES"

Julian Nagelsmann says his RB Leipzig side "have the quality to create chances" when they face a famously defensive Atletico Madrid team in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Thursday.

"My first thought on Atletico was, 'they're a very strong side defensively'," he told Spanish publication Marca. "We'll have to be a very solid block and be very persistent in the final third in order to create opportunities to score.

"We have enough quality in the squad to replace Timo Werner. It's hard to create scoring chances and it's a task we'll have to share out among various players. I think it's very difficult for other teams to work out how we play. Timo's a great player who left after scoring a lot of goals, but I think it's possible for other players who were in his shadow to step up.

"We have the quality, especially in attack, to compensate for his loss and to create good chances against Atletico."

LEIPZIG TEAM NEWS

Flexibility looks key for Nalgesmann and Leipzig tonight. The Bundesliga side are starting with a three-man back line made up of Lukas Klostermann, Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Halstenberg. This can alternate to a four-man defence in certain situations with Angelino dropping into left-back if needed. Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo have been chosen as prime support for Yussuf Poulsen leading the line.

WELCOME!

It's the biggest night in RB Leipzig and each of the club's players' histories as Die Roten Bullen take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. The line-ups are in, as you can see above, and Julian Nagelsmann's men are warming-up ahead of kick-off in Lisbon at the Estádio José Alvalade in the Portuguese capital.

Watch: Schick's top 5 Leipzig goals