Bundesliga side RB Leipzig made history on Thursday night, beating Atletico Madrid to secure their first-ever UEFA Champions League semi-finals appearance. Leipzig won the game 2-1, with U.S. international Tyler Adams scoring the winning goal.
After an uneventful and scoreless first half, in which neither team showed much desire to attack, the second period proved to be much more interesting. Leipzig managed to strike first in 51st minute thanks to Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo, who directed Marcel Sabitzer’s cross into the net.
Atletico immediately started attacking more, and their efforts paid off in 71st minute. After a beautiful one-two play between Joao Felix and Diego Costa, Felix was fouled inside the penalty area, and the Spanish club received a penalty kick.
Felix took the responsibility and converted the kick despite Leipzig’s goalie Peter Gulacsi being on the ball.
And just when everyone thought that the game will go to overtime, Tyler Adams decided to make his mark. The youngster received a ball just outside the box, placed a strong kick, which then was deflected by Stefan Savic into Atletico’s net. This was the first goal for Adams in Leipzig’s jersey.
“It’s all a bit surreal,” said Adams after the match. “And now obviously facing such a world-class team like PSG, we’re excited to show what we’re capable of. We’re confident in our abilities, but we need to go out there and continue to show what we are capable of.”
Atletico Madrid tried to get back into the game, but RB Leipzig stood their ground and celebrated an unlikely win. Leipzig will play their next match against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
