Liverpool and Barcelona overturned their first-leg disappointments to join Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Sporting in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 18. Liverpool registered a thumping victory over Galatasaray, while Barcelona secured a dominant win over Newcastle United.

The Merseyside giants has won the UEFA Champions League six times. Their last triumph came back in 2019, when they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final at Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid. The last time they reached the final was in 2022, when they were defeated by Real Madrid at Stade de France, Paris.

In the following years, the Reds have been knocked out of the Round of 16 twice and also failed to qualify for the Champions League once. Last season, they were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 via a dramatic penalty shootout.

Liverpool beat Galatasaray 4-1 on aggregate over two legs in the Round of 16 to secure their place in the quarterfinals. In the first leg, Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0 at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex in Istanbul. Mario Lemina scored early in the seventh minute of the game, which turned out to be the match-winner on that day.

In the second leg, the Reds welcomed the Turkish club to Anfield. The Merseyside club ran riot and secured a comfortable 4-0 victory. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah sealed the deal for Liverpool. Salah was also denied a second goal in the match, as Ugurcan Cakir saved his penalty shot in the first half.

Liverpool will face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals and look to avenge their last season's loss against the reigning UEFA Champions League winners.

Barcelona thrash Newcastle United to reach the Champions League quarterfinals

Barcelona has won the UEFA Champions League five times. The last time they lifted the trophy was eleven years ago, when they defeated Juventus in the 2015 final at Olympiastadion in Berlin.

In the following years, Barcelona have struggled to make a strong run in the competition. They were knocked out in the Round of 16, also failing to get past the quarter-finals stage three years in a row. They have not played a single final after 2015, and their highest mark in the competition since then is reaching the semi-finals.

However, this year, under Hansi Flick, the Blaugrana look fearless, dominant, and confident in themselves. In the previous season, they reached the semi-finals, but a narrow defeat to Inter Milan ended their dominant run.

Barcelona beat Newcastle United 8-3 on aggregate over two matches in the Round of 16 to secure their place in the quarter-finals. In the first leg, the Magpies held the Blaugrana to a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park. Goals from Harvey Barnes gave Newcastle the lead, but a last-minute penalty from Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona secure a draw.

In the second leg at Camp Nou, Barcelona dominated Newcastle throughout the entire game and won the encounter 7-2. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski both scored twice, while Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez each scored a goal. Anthony Elanga scored twice for the Magpies in the first half, but it was not enough.

Barcelona will lock horns with rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarte-finals and look to avenge their Copa del Rey defeat.

Also read: Champions League: Premier League giants eliminated, Real Madrid, PSG advance to quarterfinals