Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth fired Atletico Madrid into a strong position with a 2-0 win over 10-man Barcelona in a tense Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday night. Barcelona seemed to have the upper hand at Camp Nou at least until Pau Cubarsi brought down Giuliano Simeone, who was clear through on goal. The ref initially showed Cubarsi a yellow, but after checking VAR, he switched it to a red. Alvarez then curled in the free kick, and with 20 minutes left, Sorloth added a second. Suddenly, Atletico looked well on their way to the semi-finals.

Diego Simeone’s team have never won the Champions League, though they came close in 2014 and 2016, only to lose both finals to bitter rivals Real Madrid.

“We have things to learn,” admitted Antoine Griezmann afterwards. “Of course, we’re happy, but we’re not there yet. There’s still 90 minutes to go, maybe more, so we have to stay grounded.”

Barcelona, who made the semis last year, now face a massive task in Madrid next Tuesday if they want to keep their dreams alive. Defender Ronald Araujo isn’t giving up. “It’ll be tough, but if anyone can do it, it’s us.”

Not surprisingly, coach Hansi Flick was furious at how VAR was used. He saw Cubarsi get sent off after a review, but thought Atletico got away with a potential handball from Marc Pubill in the second half. The incident saw Pubill handle the ball after keeper Juan Musso passed it out for him to take the goal kick, and Flick insisted it should’ve gotten another look. “The VAR was very focused today for Atletico. He’s a German guy, so thanks, Germany,” Flick said, noticeably sarcastic. “For me, it’s a clear red card, then everything changes.”

Simeone, though, called it “common sense.”

This was the second of three meetings between these clubs in just two weeks. Atletico already knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey last month.

Barcelona actually started well. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, kept causing problems down the left. Meanwhile, Atletico tried to close down Lamine Yamal on the right, opening up more space for Rashford. The first good chances fell to the England forward, but Musso shut the door each time.

Atletico had their threats too, with Alvarez recently linked to a move to Barcelona, testing Joan Garcia in goal. Rashford kept breaking away from Nahuel Molina and even found the net, but the goal was chalked off for offside earlier in the move. Even with three defenders chasing him, 18-year-old Yamal still managed to dance free and force a save from Robin Le Normand.

Atletico captain Koke may have ridden his luck in the first half, picking up just a yellow after a string of hard fouls, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

That all changed before half-time. With Griezmann quiet, Barcelona held control until 19-year-old Cubarsi’s clumsy chase brought down Giuliano Simeone, giving Kovacs the choice to upgrade his yellow to a red after checking VAR. Then, Alvarez stepped up and curled the free kick straight into the top corner. Barcelona found themselves a goal down and a man down.

Even so, they kept pushing. Rashford kept coming close, Yamal set him up for another big chance, but after rounding Musso, Rashford hit the side netting. He had a free-kick tipped over as well. But then, against the run of play, Atletico struck again. Griezmann and Matteo Ruggieri combined well, with Ruggieri crossing for Sorloth. Sorloth brushed off Gerard Martin and drilled his shot past Garcia.

This defeat marked Barcelona’s first loss at home since Camp Nou reopened in November 2025, and it was also Simeone’s first-ever win at the stadium as Atletico boss after 14 years in charge. Atletico hadn’t won there since 2006, so this was a huge step toward the one trophy they still desperately want.

Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.

Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.

That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.

For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.

Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.

The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.

Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.

Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.