UEFA Champions League: Catamo, Diomande and Sporting fall short while Díaz starts in Real defeat

The UEFA Champions League semifinal lineup is now complete after Wednesday’s action and while Achraf Hakimi and Ademola Lookman helped their clubs progress, it did not go as well for fellow Africans abroad Brahim Díaz, Geny Catamo and Ousmane Diomandé.

Catamo volley hits the post 😱#UCL pic.twitter.com/fnGr4TxIJe

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 15, 2026

Sporting’s UEFA Champions League hopes end despite heroic effort

Catamo and Diomandé led Portuguese champions Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium for the second leg of their clash against English Premier League club Arsenal but a 0-0 draw was not enough to progress.

It was an excellent effort from the visitors, who faced tall odds after a 0-1 first leg defeat at home. Catamo came close to leveling the aggregate score but hit the post in a frustrating evening for the visitors, who proved they deserved to compete alongside the London giants but could not get the crucial leveling goal.

⏸️ DC: @FCBayernES (6) 4-3 (4) @RealMadrid
⚽ 1′ @10ArdaGuler
⚽ 6′ Pavlović
⚽ 29′ @10ArdaGuler
⚽ 38′ Harry Kane
⚽ 42′ @KMbappe
⚽ 89′ Luis Díaz
⚽ 90’+4′ Olise pic.twitter.com/WhtX5PPWg5

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 15, 2026

For Real Madrid, the Spanish giants produced an excellent effort in Munich to take a 3-2 halftime lead and level the aggregate score at 3-3 against Bayern Munich. However, a late meltdown saw the hosts find two goals in the final stretch to secure a 6-4 aggregate victory.

Morocco national team star Brahim Díaz got the start but failed to make much of an impact before being subbed out soon after the hour mark. His replacement, Edouardo Camavinga, became the subject of headlines after earning two yellow cards in ten minutes to be sent off before Bayern’s late rally.

Bayern advance to face Hakimi and PSG in the semifinals while Arsenal will clash with Lookman’s Atlético Madrid. The first legs will take place on April 28.