Roma rout Barca, Liverpool humble City

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It was a night of upsets and miracles in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night. The day’s biggest shock was, however, Roma’s jaw-dropping comeback to rout an almost invincible Barcelona 3-0 in the second-leg as the Italian underdogs stormed into the semifinals.

Buoyed by their 4-1 first-leg win, the Catalan giants were all but certain to book a final four berth when they visited Stadio Olympico in Rome. But little did they know that a resurgent Roma were waiting for them with a rejuvenated performance in their own backyard.

Striker Edin Dzeko drew the first blood by striking early in the game before the Bosnian was brought down by Barca defender Gerard Pique inside the box in the second half and Daniele de Rossi made no mistake in scoring from the spot.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique fouls against Roma striker Edin Dzeko (R) during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg football match. /VCG Photo

A partisan home crowd was sensing a sensational victory and the Roma players didn’t disappoint their fans with defender Kostas Manolas scoring the all-important third goal towards the fag end of the game. For the next eight minutes, the Italian club held on to their 3-0 lead, thwarting Lionel Messi and the team's every effort to score that elusive goal that would have still taken Barcelona to the final four.

When the final whistle was blown, the crowd at the Stadio Olympico erupted to witness the historic win that catapulted Roma to the semifinal for the first time in 34 years.

Statistically, Roma, fourth in Serie A, became only the third team in Champions League history to overturn a first-leg defeat of three goals or more. Deportivo La Coruna achieved that herculean feat against AC Milan in 2004 and Barcelona repeated that against Paris St-Germain last season.

Sensational Salah stuns Citizens

Liverpool players celebrate at the final whistle during the Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. /VCG Photo

In the night’s other game, English champions Manchester City also received the same fate as their Spanish counterparts as Mohamed Salah’s sublime form guided Liverpool to the semifinals for the first time in 10 years. The Reds came from behind to register a fantastic 2-1 away win over City in their return leg match at Etihad Stadium to book the final four berth with a 5-1 aggregate win.

Up against a 3-0 deficit and the recent renaissance of the Merseyside club, Pep Guardiola’s boys came out firing on all cylinders from the word go right after the kick off. City’s determined start was paid off as Raheem Sterling assisted Gabriel Jesus to clinch the lead for his side after only two minutes. But despite having the early advantage, City manager Guardiola lost his cool and was sent off in a bizarre fashion just before half-time.

After Bernardo Silva hit the post, Leroy Sane’s goal was ruled out for offside even though the ball came off Liverpool's James Milner. A furious Guardiola’s angry march on to the pitch fetched him the marching order.

Liverpool s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his sides opening goal during the Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. /VCG Photo

Playing the second half without their manager at the technical area, City became both distracted and disarrayed. To make things worse for the hosts, Liverpool’s gola-scoring machine Mohamed Salah was back in action, chipping in his 39th goal of the season in the 56th minute.

The Egyptian striker was assisted by a powerful run by Sadio Mane. Inevitably, the visitors tightened the screw and Roberto Firmino's neat finish sealed the deal for the five-time former champions.

In Wednesday's remaining quarter-final ties, defending champions Real Madrid are 3-0 ahead against Juventus after the first leg and Bayern Munich lead Sevilla 2-1.