Diego Simeone had his palms pressed together in the technical area as if he was saying his prayers. They were answered for Atletico Madrid’s man in black and then some.
First, he got what he wanted most in that moment: a yellow card for Pau Cubarsi upgraded to red after Barcelona’s centre back had clumsily tripped the Atletico manager’s son, Giuliano Simeone, to deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity when he was otherwise through.
Then, he got his beautiful bonus: Julian Alvarez’s special free-kick flying into the top corner to hand Atletico a lead they would never lose in this Champions League quarter-final first leg.
It was the ultimate double dagger for Barca – triple, even, when Hansi Flick considers how he will now be without the suspended Cubarsi for next week’s second leg in Madrid – and a reminder in how quickly a singular game of football can turn.
Atletico had never won a Champions League game away at a fellow Spanish opponent, nor had they conquered the Nou Camp in their last 25 visits across all competitions.
Now, Diego Simeone can say he has left this famous ground as a victor. Atletico did not play particularly well, but they refused to waste the opportunity they had been afforded when Alexander Sorloth scored their second of the night from nowhere. With that, they are in charge of this two-legged tie, with the eventual winner to face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semi-finals.
You only needed to look at Raphinha’s numbers – 33 goal involvements in 33 games in the Champions League for Barca – to understand why those at the Nou Camp were lamenting the hamstring injury which ruled their winger out of this tie.
Julián Alvarez (left) celebrates his spectacular opening goal for Atletico Madrid
Barca talisman Lamine Yamal can’t believe what he’s seeing as his team lose at home
While unfortunate for Raphinha, that handed a wonderful opportunity to Marcus Rashford. Under Hansi Flick, the 28-year-old has largely acted as a substitute in 2026 and occasionally an unused one. That predicament has been cited by Thomas Tuchel, who must decide whether Rashford is worthy of starting for England at this summer’s World Cup.
The Manchester United loanee competed as if determined to seize his chance. Indeed, the opening 20 minutes of this match represented the Rashford show.
First, he cut inside on to his favoured right foot and tested Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso. Then, he scuffed a strike after being set up by Lamine Yamal.
There was a volleyed chance from 16 yards which saw the ball bounce narrowly wide, and a positive run which nearly led to an assist for Robert Lewandowski.
Were Tuchel watching from afar, he would have been impressed by the application. Rashford thought he had scored after 17 minutes when Yamal squared the ball for his tap-in, only for the assistant to lift his flag for offside against the 18-year-old assister.
The tie turned before half-time when Giuliano Simeone sprinted through and was tumbled over by Cubarsi. It was initiated by a marvellous ball in behind from Alvarez.
Referee Istvan Kovacs initially produced only a yellow – proof that not only Premier League officials make mistakes – and Atletico’s manager was dumbfounded. Diego Simeone pleaded for it to be reviewed, and Cabarsi was eventually shown a straight red card via Kovacs’ pitch-side monitor.
From the resulting free-kick, Alvarez produced perfection, sending the ball beyond the stretching Joan Garcia. Alvarez, the 26-year-old formerly of Manchester City, has been linked with Barcelona and the odd Premier League club. He left his impression on the Nou Camp here.
Simeone had been a bundle of energy when the foul on his son had not led to an immediate red. When this goal was scored, he was a picture of serenity, his hands not leaving his pockets.
Barcelona had to make changes at the break with Pedri and Lewandowski sacrificed. Rashford remained, his liveliness earlier having helped his cause. Twice he nearly scored, first when he rounded Musso before striking the side-netting after being sent too wide and then from a free-kick in a similar position to that scored by Alvarez.
Barca appeared in control, but arguably in true Atletico style, they confirmed this famous win when substitute Sorloth sent in Matteo Ruggeri’s cross.
