Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth struck as Atlético Madrid upset 10-man Barcelona to win the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal 2-0.
Barcelona had hemmed Atlético into their box when the hosts received a double blow that left Hansi Flick’s team down a man and behind a goal just before halftime.
Álvarez curled home a stunning free kick after the dismissal of Pau Cubarsí and Sørloth tightened Atlético’s grip on the tie with a second 20 minutes from time at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Barca, who beat the same opponents in LaLiga on Saturday, were left to rue a series of missed chances both before and after Cubarsi’s red card for hauling down Giuliano Simeone.
Marcus Rashford went close on several occasions, but was unable to find a way past Atlético goalkeeper Juan Musso. Lamine Yamal was also lively, but even his late mazy run through the Atleti box was for naught as an undermanned Barcelona could not get back into the game.
It was Barça’s first defeat in 26 home meetings with Atlético stretching back to 2006, while Diego Simoene’s side recorded an away victory over Spanish opposition in the Champions League for the first time.
The second leg is in Madrid on Tuesday.
Information from PA and The Associated Press was used in this recap.
