By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 14:50 EST, 11 December 2024 | Updated: 14:50 EST, 11 December 2024
With a brilliant curling finish, Julian Alvarez helped Atletico Madrid beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday and provided a timely reminder of what Manchester City is missing on a big night for the ailing English champions.
Antoine Griezmann scored Atletico´s other two goals at Estadio Metropolitano as the Spanish team strengthened its ambitions of a top-eight finish in the revamped competition to avoid the need for a playoff to get into the last 16.
Alvarez opened the scoring in the 16th minute by curling a right-footed shot into the top corner from just inside the area for his 12th goal of the season, and his fourth in the Champions League.
Atletico signed the Argentina striker from City in August in a deal worth more than $100 million. While Alvarez is thriving for his new club, his old one is struggling - not helped by having few proven scorers, like Alvarez, in its squad.
City, with just one win in its last nine matches in all competitions, visits Juventus later Wednesday and is far from guaranteed to advance in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola´s team started the game in 20th place in the 36-club standings. The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 and the teams placed No. 9-24 go into a two-legged playoff.
Lille squandered a two-goal lead then scored in the 81st through Hákon Arnar Haraldsson to beat Sturm Graz 3-2 in the other early game. The French club climbed to sixth place with its fourth win from six league-stage matches.
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez shoots to score the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann scores his side's third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Slovan Bratislava at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Lille's Remy Cabella reacts during the Champions League soccer match between Lille and Sturm Graz at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, outside Lille, northern France, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)