ATLETI PUNISH 10-MAN BARCA TO SEIZE FIRST-LEG ADVANTAGE.

Atlético Madrid produced a ruthless display to beat Barcelona 2-0 at Camp Nou and
take firm control of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Barca started on the front foot, with Marcus Rashford testing the goalkeeper early,
but the contest turned on the stroke of half-time when Pau Cubarsí was sent off for
hauling down the last man.
Julián Álvarez stepped up and bent a superb free-kick into the top corner, silencing
the Camp Nou and handing Atleti the breakthrough.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Barcelona pushed after the break and came
close through Rashford, who rattled the bar with a fierce effort, but they lacked the
cutting edge.
Diego Simeone’s side then delivered the decisive blow late on, breaking with pace
before Alexander Sørloth applied a calm, cushioned finish to double the lead.
It sealed a rare away triumph for Atleti and leaves Barcelona with a mountain to
climb in the second leg.