Champions League quarter-finals day 1 review: No Remontada show for Barcelona and Liverpool

The Champions League semi-final spots are sealed. (Image credits: Heute; license details.)

After a week's break from the first leg, the Champions League nights made a triumphant return. Across two days we witnessed four thrilling clashes which had some mouth-watering goals and plenty of drama. One of the very best teams from Europe were head to head against each other, and none could whitewash their ties. We have got the four semi-finalists. Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid have stunned Real Madrid and FC Barcelona by commanding performances in the clash, while Arsenal have also gained a narrow 1-0 win against Sporting Lisbon. Paris Saint-Germain brushed aside Liverpool in a one-sided clash at Anfield, dismantling Arne Slot's side 4-0 on aggregate to qualify for their second consecutive semi-final in a row.

Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: 4-3 (6-4 agg)

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have faced each other on this side plenty of times, but the Spanish giants have always had an upper hand over them. However, Vincent Kompany's side, which dismantled Atalanta 10-2 on aggregate, dominated Los Blancos at their home. With Harry Kane fit again, they produced a commanding win away from home.

Following the first leg win in Madrid, Bayern made a slow start to the game as Manuel Neuer’s costly error gifted a goal to Real Madrid. Though Bayern equalised from a corner, Arda Guler hit a sensational free-kick to level the tie yet again. Kylian Mbappe cancelled out Harry Kane's sensational goal late in the first half.

It seemed the tie would head to extra time, but Camavinga was sent off after he received his second yellow. Following that, Bayern took charge of the game, and Luis Díaz bagged a sensational goal from outside of the box. Michael Olise capped off the match with a brilliant finish that curled past Lunin in goal. Vincent Kompany's men will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.

Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal: 0-1 (0-1 agg)

It was yet another cagey game between Arsenal and Sporting, with both sides playing it safe. The Gunners knew that it was a risky game and took very few risks as the game was controlled by the home side. Sporting dominated possession and created the better chances in the game, but David Raya was phenomenal between the sticks, delivering a Man of the Match performance.

Arsenal showed defensive resilience throughout the game and saw the tie out. Sporting controlled possession in the second half, but Arsenal's defence was equal to it, and they absorbed the pressure perfectly. Mikel Arteta's side was wasteful up front, but their strong defensive performance paved their way to the semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

The Gunners are firm favourites this season, especially because of their rock-solid defence, and as the saying goes, "Attack wins you games, but defence wins you titles.”

FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: 2-1 (2-3)

FC Barcelona has once again been haunted by the ghosts of the past, as they suffered their first loss at the refurbished Camp Nou. Eric Garcia was sent off in the second half, which ended all hopes of a possible comeback from the Catalans.

Barça started the game perfectly, scoring two goals inside 25 minutes to level the tie on aggregate. However, defensive lapses cost them again as Atletico pounced on an error from Pedri to lead the tie once again. Lamine Yamal was sensational as he carved open Atleti multiple times, but their finishing let them down. Torres thought he had scored a goal late in the second half, but it was ruled out for offside. Ronald Araujo got a golden opportunity in the last kick of the game, but he dragged his header over the post.

Hansi Flick's side will aim to cement their top spot in the league and clinch it, while Atletico will play two consecutive semifinals in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Diego Simeone's side could seal a final spot for the third time under his management. They will face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the next stage, which will be an intriguing clash.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool: 2-0 (4-0 agg)

The most one-sided clash of all the quarter-final clashes this week. Paris Saint-Germain dominated the game right from the start as Liverpool had no answers at all. After a poor first leg outing, Slot's side had a lot to do in the return leg at Anfield. However, the Reds were simply no match for the Ligue 1 side.

Ousmane Dembele’s brace paved the way for PSG to a second consecutive semifinal appearance and they are the firm favourites to 

defend their title. Liverpool played better than they did in Paris, but Enrique’s men defended well without the ball. Anfield, which was once home to Klopp's gegenpressing, fell victim to PSG’s high-pressure football.

Paris Saint-Germain will face Bayern Munich in the next game, which will be a great game of attacking football as both sides possess plenty of attacking quality. Both sides are firm favourites to reach the finals, but PSG have an experienced coach who has been here before, which makes them the favourites in the semi-final as well.