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Villarreal's Etienne Capoue (l) and Alfonso Pedraza try to stop Liverpool's Mohamed Salah
Photo:
IMAGO/Peter Byrne / IMAGO/PA Images
Liverpool FC is about to enter the Champions League final. In the first leg of the semi-finals, the English won 2-0 (0-0) against Villarreal FC, which was particularly strong in defense. The semi-finals are a sensation for the surprise team from Spain - but from the point of view of the international press it will stay that way. The second leg is on Tuesday (9 p.m., stream: Prime Video).
The voices from British and Spanish newspapers:
Great Britain:
»The Sun«
: »The Reds have one foot in the Champions League final after a quick double strike ended the stubborn resistance of the guests.«
»Daily Mail«:
»Liverpool got what they deserved in the end, but it took quite a while.«
»The Independent«
: »Liverpool are on the verge of taking part in the pinnacle of European football for the tenth time, but only after a 2-0 win that felt far from a peak.
(...) There were moments when it was difficult not to wonder exactly how Bayern Munich got eliminated."
Spain:
"Marca":
"In a Champions League semi-final you not only have to do your best, you also have to have the goddess of luck on your side, and bad luck hit the yellow ones with the first goal."
»El País«:
»Villarreal's padlock shattered at Anfield.
After showing iron strength in Turin and Munich and resisting for almost an hour in Liverpool.
As the home team faltered after a fierce but fruitless siege, a deflected cross from Henderson that ricocheted off Estupiñán and smashed into Rulli's goal, destroying the fortress Emery had spent months of patiently spraying concrete.”
»El Mundo Deportivo«
: »Villarreal, who are dreaming of their first Champions League final, will have to come back from a 2-0 deficit against Liverpool in the second leg of the semifinals on May 3rd at the La Cerámica stadium to play in Paris on May 28th to take part.
But in terms of game and chances, Villarreal came out of Anfield alive on Wednesday and the result was the best news for Unai Emery's side who had no chances to score."
ngo/dpa