Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Atletico Madrid (Tot. 5-4): German team ahead of Champions League thriller

Borussia Dortmund reached their first Champions League semi-final in 11 years by staging a stunning second-half comeback to beat Atletico Madrid 5-4 on aggregate.

But Atletico Madrid made it 2-1 on the night and 3-3 on aggregate when Mario Hermoso’s header was deflected off Dortmund defender Mats Hummels shortly after the restart.

Angel Correa then gave Atletico Madrid a 4-3 aggregate lead when he rebounded from close range in the 64th minute.

But Dortmund equalized again in a thrilling second half when Niclas Fullkrug finished off Marcel Sabitzer’s cross with a looping header after 71 minutes.

And less than three minutes later, Sabitzer scored Dortmund’s winner with a drilled strike into the bottom corner to cap off a sublime quarter-final – and set up a semi-final against Paris St-Germain.

Maatsen “dreamed of it when he was a child”

Dortmund defender Maatsen, whose goal gave Dortmund a 3-2 aggregate lead, said he “had dreamed of (moments like this) when he was a child”.

“It’s such an incredible feeling,” he told CBS. “Especially now I scored a great goal and my first goal in the Champions League, so I’m very grateful and very happy.”

Maatsen, 22 years old, signed a contract extension with parent club Chelsea in January before joining Dortmund on loan until the end of the season.

The Dutchman was playing Championship football this time last year while on loan at Burnley.

“I always had the belief to play for Chelsea but unfortunately for some reasons it didn’t work out,” he added.

“But now that I’m here, I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I came here to experience the highest level and play my game and today I think I put in a very good performance.”

Dortmund rightly deserve to end 11-year absence

Dortmund had not reached the last four of the Champions League since finishing second in 2012-13.

This is only the fourth time that the German club has made it past the quarter-finals.

Their achievement is all the more remarkable given that they were 2-0 down in the first leg in Madrid and had disappeared at half-time.

But in Germany they were ruthless, starting brightly and almost taking the lead through Sabitzer, but the midfielder’s shot was blocked on the line by former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta.

Atletico had their own golden opportunity early on, but striker Alvaro Morata diverted the ball off target as he passed through on goal.

And in the second period, Correa fired wide shortly before giving his team a 3-2 overall lead.

But it was Dortmund who finished stronger and could have added more but for two fine saves from Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak to deny Fullkrug and Sabitzer late in the match.

Atletico have conceded four goals in a Champions League knockout match for the first time since losing 4-1 to rivals Real Madrid in the 2014 final. Diego Simeone’s side have now seven years without reaching the final four of the premier European competition.