Champions League Quarter Finals – Tuesday

If you can believe it, we’ve already got to the quarter finals stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Our first two Final Eight games saw Liverpool host FC Porto and Manchester City travel to Tottenham.

 

Liverpool v FC Porto

2-0

Liverpool took control of their Champions League quarter-final with Porto thanks to first half goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino.

The Reds opened the scoring after just five minutes when Keita‘s shot was deflected in off Oliver Torres, before Firmino tapped home from Trent Alexander-Arnaold‘s cross.

Porto created their own chances, with striker Moussa Maraga failing to convert meaning his side left Merseyside with what could have been a crucial away goal.

Liverpool’s Alisson produced an excellent block with his feet to deny the striker in the 30th minute, moments before the Mali international failed to connect fully with a volley from eight yards.

Maraga had two further chances in the second half but once again Alisson was there to deny him, whilst another shot was blazed over the bar.

Liverpool had a few nervy moments, especially late on when Mo Salah could have been sent off for a high tackle with his studs showing, but upon VAR review no foul was given.

The Reds failed to find a third goal which would have settled any never as they head to Portugal for the second leg as strong favorites.

 

Up Next:

Premier League

Liverpool v Chelsea – Sunday, April 14 (11:30am)

Primeira Liga 

Portimonense v Porto – Saturday, April 13 (1pm)

Champions League

Porto v Liverpool – Wednesday, April 17 (3pm)

 

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

1-0

Son Heung-min‘s late goal gave Spurs a crucial and well deserved advantage over Man City in a tumultuous Champions League quarter-final first leg.

It was the first Champions League game in Tottenham’s new stadium. The atmosphere was searing, especially when they overcame the loss of Harry Kane to a serious looking ankle injury – sustained when he challenged City’s Fabian Delph in the second half.

The hosts broke through with 12 minutes left when Son twisted and turned before shooting low past Ederson.

Spurs had survived an early scare when VAR awarded City a penalty after Danny Rose was judged to have handled Raheem Sterling‘s shot. Sergio Aguero stepped up, but Hugo Lloris made the save.

The visitors never looked at their best and now have to overturn a narrow deficit at the Etihad next Wednesday in order to keep alive their hopes of a historic quadruple; the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.

 

Up Next:

Premier League

Spurs v Huddersfield – Saturday, April 13 (7:30am)

Palace v City – Sunday, April 14 (9:05am)

Champions League

City v Spurs – Wednesday, April 17 (3pm)

 

ALL TIMES U.S. EASTERN