Julian Alvarez’s brilliance inspired Atletico Madrid to a huge 2-0 first-leg win at 10-man Barcelona to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.
Two moments of quality from the striker before half-time turned the game in Atletico's favour and set Diego Simeone on his way to his first win at Camp Nou as Barcelona fell to their first defeat since returning to the stadium.
Alvarez found the top corner with a free-kick 25 yards out on the stroke of half-time to put Atletico 1-0 up against the run of play directly after Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off following a VAR review for a last-man challenge on Guiliano Simeone.
It was the former Manchester City forward's lobbed through ball that cut open the Barcelona defence which led Cubarsi to clip the back leg of the Atletico head coach's son.
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, right, takes a free kick during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Image: Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, right, takes a free-kick during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Substitute Alexander Sorloth, the former Crystal Palace striker, doubled Atletico's advantage with 20 minutes to go to put Diego Siemone's side in a commanding position to reach the Champions League semi-final, where they would meet either Arsenal or Sporting.
Marcus Rashford, standing in for Barcelona's injured forward Raphinha from the start, missed a chance when played through by 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and hit the bar when his side were one-goal down, ending the night with two more shots than Atletico's whole team.
More to follow.
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