Soccer: Atletico Madrid storm Camp Nou with 2-0 Champions League win over 10-man Barcelona

BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid took a firm grip on their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday as goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth earned ‌a ⁠2-0 first-leg ⁠victory over 10-man Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona dominated proceedings, but Atletico's rock-solid defence combined with swift counter-attacks paid off after Pau Cubarsi was sent off ⁠for hauling ‌down Giuliano Simeone in the 42nd minute as ⁠the last man.

Alvarez brilliantly curled the ​resulting free kick from 25 ​metres into the top corner in first-half stoppage time to silence the sold-out Catalan stadium.


Rashford struck the crossbar ‌from a free kick soon after halftime but Simeone's side remained disciplined ⁠and doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Mateo Ruggeri crossed from the left and Sorloth volleyed in from close range, sealing a decisive away win.