Atletico Madrid stun 10-man Barcelona to take control of Champions League tie
By Andy Hampson, Press Association
Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth struck as Atletico Madrid stunned 10-man Barcelona to win the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final 2-0.
Alvarez curled home a stunning free-kick after the dismissal of Pau Cubarsi and Sorloth tightened Atletico’s grip on the tie with a second 20 minutes from time at the Nou Camp 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 Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso.
In the Europa League, Cucho Hernandez’s second-half penalty earned Real Betis a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final at Braga.
Florian Grillitsch had got the hosts off to a fast start with a clever finish after five minutes, but Betis responded well and hit the post through Marc Bartra while Lukas Hornicek denied Hernandez.
The Spanish side levelled just after the hour when Hernandez converted from the spot after Abde Ezzalzouli was fouled.
