Wow, what a turn of events in the Champions League and for Barcelona.

The defending cup champions and La Liga champions suddenly find themselves out of the runnings to defend their Champions League crown, and having to actually fight to defend their league title. In the last three weeks the only match Barça has won was the first leg of their Champions League match up with Atletico Madrid, an Atleti side that had only 10 men. And even then they did not look impressive.

On Wednesday Barcelona's dream of repeating a treble ended at Atletico completed their remontada and overcome a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate, shutting out Barcelona on their home turf. 

In front of a raucous crowd at the Vicente Calderon on the Mazanares River in Madrid, Atletico turned in an all-around spectacular performance. Jan Oblak, the Slovenian goal keeper for los rojiblancos made some incredible stops to hold Luis Suarez, Neymar and Messi goalless.

Early in the match it appeared Atletico would get a kick from the penalty spot as Gerard Pique made an entry that resembled more of a chop block than clean slide tackle. Yet the referee didn't call a penalty. Atleti's Frenchman Antoine Greizmann opened up the scoring with a fabulous header and added another on a penalty kick to end Barcelona's hopes completely.

Atletico and Barcelona's mutual rival Real Madrid made an incredible comeback of their own the night before on the other side of Madrid. Down 2-0 to a Wolfsburg team that isn't even in the top five in Germany, they have only Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for getting them to yet another Champions League semifinal.

While Real were a bit lucky with a couple of their goals, it should take nothing away from Ronaldo's finest performance of this season. His first goal surely could have been defended much better by Wolfsburg, who seemed to suffer a mental lapse in the worst possible position in front of goal. For the third goal, Ronaldo's free kick somehow found it's way through the line even though it did not even clear it, consequentially finding its way to the net.

But his header for the second goal was a thing of beauty, his prowess in the air is his one bonafide edge over Messi no matter what anyone says. This match showed how Ronaldo has evolved his game. Although he can't blow by every defender, he is savvy enough to get himself in position to score. A trait that should keep him at the top level for at least a few more years.

Along with the two Madrid teams, Bayern Munich and Manchester City remain in the march to Milan. The draw to see who faces who will take place Friday.

Photo: Flickr