Roma's gladiators put Barca to sword

Catalans crash out in one of biggest shocks in Champions League history

ROME－With his arms held out wide and his mouth gaping open, Kostas Manolas started running and yelling uncontrollably. Then he patted his chest and was mobbed by his Roma teammates.

Manolas, a centerback not renowned for attacking skills, had just scored one of the most memorable goals in the Italian club's history.

His header from a corner in the 82nd minute on Tuesday put Roma into the Champions League semifinals and knocked out five-time champion Barcelona following one of the most extraordinary comebacks the competition has ever seen.

Roma won 3-0 to overturn a three-goal deficit and advance on the away-goals rule, having entered the game as a massive underdog after losing the first leg of their quarterfinal 4-1 against a Lionel Messi-led team that was one of the big favorites to win the competition.

"I don't care about becoming part of Roma's history," said Manolas. "I'm just happy that the squad has reached the Champions League semifinals by beating a great team like Barcelona.

"In the first leg they denied us two penalties but tonight we showed that Roma can play with and beat anyone."

The atmosphere inside Stadio Olimpico was deafening as the host unexpectedly dominated.

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco acknowledged before the match that his team needed a "miracle" to advance, and it got the start it needed when Edin Dzeko controlled a lofted pass between two defenders in the sixth minute and poked in his sixth goal in this season's competition.

Then near the hour mark, Dzeko earned a penalty that Daniele De Rossi converted to set the stage for Manolas' late header.

"It is for moments like this that it is so beautiful to live for these colors," recently retired Roma captain Francesco Totti tweeted, adding: "Daje Roma!" ("Go Roma").