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Pau Cubarsi promises to be one of the standout young players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Following their elimination, Barcelona star Raphinha blasted the officiating, calling their Champions League quarterfinal exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid a "robbery." Barcelona‘s hopes of winning the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League were extinguished on Tuesday after falling short of overturning the aggregate deficit despite a 2-1 win at the Metropolitano. The controversy surrounding the tie against Atletico Madrid, however, is far from over, with star forward Raphinha pulling no punches in calling out what he described as a “robbery” by the referees across the entire quarterfinal series. Raphinha had been one of the most significant absentees for Barcelona after picking up an injury during the March international break with Brazil, ruling him out of both legs against Atletico. Although he traveled to Madrid with his teammates to show his support, he made his feelings about the officiating crystal clear when addressing the media in the mixed zone. “This match was a robbery. The refereeing had many issues; the decisions he made are unbelievable. Atletico committed I don’t know how many fouls, and the referee didn’t show them a single yellow card. I really want to understand his fear of Barca actually making it through the tie,” Raphinha said. Among the most consequential decisions that went against the Blaugrana were the red cards shown to Pau Cubarsi in the first leg and Eric Garcia in the second, though both dismissals left little room for argument, with each player having fouled as the last man. Raphinha: “Para mí fue un partido robado” 🗣️#UCLxDAZN pic.twitter.com/t2AqCVWbyh — DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) April 14, 2026 One of the more contentious moments from the first leg arose when Marc Pubill appeared to handle the ball after Juan Musso restarted play from a goal kick, only for the officials to wave away the appeals on the grounds that the ball was not yet in play. On the foul count, Atletico committed 15 compared to Barcelona’s eight in the second leg, yet the Colchoneros escaped without a single yellow card on the night. For Raphinha, the accumulation of those decisions across both matches points to something more than isolated errors. “It was tough, especially when you see that you have to put in triple the effort just to win the match. I understand making a mistake in one match, but in two consecutive games?” the Brazilian added. Musso responds to Raphinha Raphinha’s pointed comments did not take long to make their way around the mixed zone, and Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso was given the chance to respond. The Argentine, who was outstanding across both legs, was having none of it. “You can’t talk about a robbery. I understand what anyone might say. I respect everyone’s opinion, but let’s not frame the series as if it were a robbery, because that wasn’t the case. We won it on the pitch; we won 2-0 away. Being the last man in football is a red card, unfortunately,” Musso said, directly addressing the dismissals of Cubarsi and Garcia. Having made seven saves in each leg, Musso was a central figure in Atletico’s progression through the Champions League quarterfinals, and he made a point of acknowledging the quality of the opponent while firmly rejecting Raphinha’s characterization. “They are a team we respect a lot and one that truly motivates us to play against. They are a great team, but I think talking about a robbery is madness,” he concluded.

Barcelona will be looking for an specific result to get through to the UEFA Champions League semifinals against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Barcelona travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in search of a comeback against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie. With the Colchoneros holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, the Blaugrana must produce a specific result to pull off one of the more memorable reversals in the club’s recent history. The stunning 2-0 defeat at Camp Nou sent shockwaves through the Barcelona fanbase, and the Blaugrana will be without Pau Cubarsi for the second leg after his red card in the 45th minute of the first leg. Atletico have also taken steps to gain any available edge at their own ground, with the state of the Metropolitano pitch already drawing a complaint from Barca coach Hansi Flick ahead of the match. Barcelona head into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Espanyol in the Catalan derby, while Atletico come in off a 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Sevilla, a result that carried little concern given Diego Simeone rested most of his first-choice starters ahead of Tuesday’s European clash. How a Barcelona win affects the UEFA Champions League bracket A victory for Barcelona on Tuesday would not automatically guarantee their passage to the next round. With Atletico holding a two-goal cushion from the first leg, a narrow one-goal win for the Blaugrana would still see the Colchoneros advance on aggregate. Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona is challenged by Koke of Atletico de Madrid. For Barcelona to advance directly, they would need to win by a margin of three or more goals to overcome the deficit in regulation. If they do manage to complete the comeback, the Blaugrana would face the winner of the other quarterfinal between Sporting CP and Arsenal in the semifinals, with the Gunners currently holding a 1-0 advantage heading into their second leg. How a Barcelona draw affects the UEFA Champions League bracket A draw in Tuesday’s match would see Barcelona eliminated from the 2025-26 Champions League, as the two-goal deficit from the first leg would prove insurmountable under a straightforward aggregate calculation. However, if Barcelona were erase the two-goal deficit and draw in the average scoreline, the situation changes entirely. A 2-0 scoreline in favor of Barcelona, for example, would level the aggregate and send the tie to extra time, with a penalty shootout to follow if the teams remained deadlocked. How a Barcelona loss affects the UEFA Champions League bracket If Barcelona were to lose on Tuesday, they would be eliminated from the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, falling short of the semifinals once again. Their last appearance at that stage came in the 2018-19 season against Liverpool, while a victory for Atletico would see the Colchoneros reach the Champions League semifinals for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign.

Barcelona arrives in Madrid knowing that both the team and its veteran striker are chasing something significant under immense pressure. Robert Lewandowski steps into one of the most decisive matches of his Barcelona career with history within reach, while Luis Suarez remains a benchmark in the club’s European legacy. Barcelona arrives in Madrid knowing that both the team and its veteran striker are chasing something significant under immense pressure. The club prepares for a high-stakes encounter that could shape its Champions League journey and individual legacies alike. The stage is set as Barcelona faces Atletico Madrid in a crucial second leg, with the Spanish side holding a strong advantage from the first meeting. The Catalan club must respond with urgency, while their striker carries the added narrative of closing in on a historic milestone. The Blaugrana’s 2-0 defeat in the first leg has left the club with a daunting task heading into the return fixture. A red card to Pau Cubarsi disrupted their rhythm, allowing Atletico Madrid to capitalize through clinical finishing and disciplined defending. Despite that setback, Barca responded domestically with a 4-1 victory over Espanyol, regaining confidence at a crucial moment. That result has helped restore belief within the squad, but the challenge in Madrid remains steep, especially against a side known for its defensive resilience. Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Barcelona has shown strong form overall, yet inconsistency in Europe has raised concerns. The club leads La Liga comfortably, but its Champions League ambitions now hang in the balance. For the Rojiblancos, the situation is far more controlled, with the team able to focus entirely on protecting its lead. Their home record in Europe adds another layer of difficulty for Barcelona, making any comeback effort even more demanding. How many goals Lewandowski needs to beat Suarez In the middle of this high-pressure clash lies a personal milestone for Lewandowski, one that could elevate his status in Barcelona’s European history. According to Transfermarkt, the Polish striker has scored 23 Champions League goals for Barcelona, placing him within touching distance of Suarez’s tally of 25. Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates as he scores To match that number, Lewandowski needs two goals, while three would see him surpass Suarez and claim second place in the club’s all-time Champions League scoring list. The symmetry between personal ambition and team necessity creates a compelling narrative heading into the match. Efficiency that tells a story The veteran’s numbers underline his impact since arriving at Barcelona. He has reached his 23 goals in just 37 appearances, averaging 0.62 goals per game, compared to Suarez’s 25 goals in 55 matches at a rate of 0.45. Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring a goal. His recent form offers encouragement, with four goals in his last five Champions League matches, suggesting he remains capable of delivering on the biggest stage. The club will rely heavily on his experience and composure as they attempt to overturn the deficit.

By Martin Graham Julian Alvarez’s journey began in Calchin, a small town in Argentina’s Cordoba province, where his talent quickly set him apart. Nicknamed “La Aranita” by his brother because of his elusive movement on the pitch, he became a local attraction, with opponents eager to see him play. Even at a young age, […]

The first two Champions League quarter-finals conclude on Tuesday evening and European heavyweights Liverpool and Barcelona both face uphill battles in their bid to seal a spot in the final four. L…

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone insisted home advantage would count for nothing against Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Simeone’s side bring a two-goal advantage coming into Tuesday’s clash at the Metropolitano following a 2-0 win against 10-man Barcelona, who saw Pau Cubarsi sent off. Julian Alvarez’s stunning free-kick and […] The post Simeone not counting on home advantage in Barcelona second leg appeared first on Soccer News.

There is a concept in ancient Stoic philosophy called Amor Fati. Love of fate. The idea that a person of true character does not merely tolerate what the world throws at them. They do not grit their teeth and endure it. They embrace it. They walk toward the fire and find it warm. Marcus Aurelius… The post Lamine Yamal: The Boy Who Skipped the Development Curve first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Hansi Flick admits his Barcelona players are 5% more motivated in Champions League matches compared to LaLiga, as they gear up for Saturday’s derby against Espanyol. The Blaugrana suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday, with the game turning on Pau Cubarsi’s […] The post Barcelona 5% more motivated in Champions League than in LaLiga, says Flick appeared first on Soccer News.

Barcelona v Espanyol Kick Off: 17:30, Saturday 11th April Competition: La Liga Watch Live: For more Football Predictions for this weekend, head over to my website, Andy’s Bet Club. As well as expert tips, my Free Bets page includes the latest bookmaker offers and promotions for new customers. Barcelona welcome Espanyol as they… The post Barcelona v Espanyol Bet Builder Stats & Predictions first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

BARCELONA lodged an official complaint to Uefa following last night's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid. Hansi Flick's side lost 2-0 to Atletico on home turf in their quarter-final first leg. Barca chiefs were left furious with the standard of refereeing on display from Romanian official Istvan Kovacs. Pau Cubarsi was sent off following a...

Julian Alvarez revealed his free-kick against Barcelona was inspired by one scored by Lionel Messi versus Liverpool in 2019. Atletico Madrid defeated Barca 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, with Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth securing the win at Camp Nou. After Pau Cubarsi was sent off for a last-man challenge on […] The post Alvarez reveals inspiration from Messi free-kick in Champions League appeared first on Soccer News.

Despite being defeated by Atlético Madrid, Barcelona remain hopeful of overturning the result. In fact, Lamine Yamal has sent a message of encouragement to the Culers, issuing a strong warning to the Colchoneros. Even though Barcelona arrived as clear favorites, Atlético Madrid managed to defeat them 2–0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Hansi Flick’s team failed to convert the numerous chances they created, leaving Marcus Rashford exposed. Nevertheless, Lamine Yamal has sent a positive message to the Culers, while also issuing a clear warning to the Colchoneros ahead the second leg. After the defeat against the Colchoneros, Lamine Yamal sent a message of encouragement to Barcelona, issuing a warning for the second leg. “This isn’t over, Culers. We’ll give everything in the return match. All united, always,” he posted, via Instagram. With this, the Spaniard prepares himself for an anticipated comeback of a two-goal difference at Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the Champions League. Despite not scoring against Atlético Madrid, Lamine dominated on the pitch, being Barcelona’s most decisive player. He not only shone in dribbling but also constantly created space for his teammates. Nevertheless, Marcus Rashford and Dani Olmo were unable to convert all the opportunities generated by the 18-year-old star, cutting off any offensive possibilities. With Pau Cubarsí’s sending off, the Blaugrana lost full control of the game, conceding a free-kick goal from Julián Álvarez. Despite this, they dominated offensively, having more shots on goal and being the brighter team. For this reason, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona could be aiming for a comeback, relying on greater accuracy in front of goal, which could see the Dani Olmo–Fermín López duo deployed again. Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona is tackled by Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid. Lamine Yamal may need to take a scoring role in Barcelona’s offense Throughout the season, Lamine Yamal has proven to be the key axis of Barcelona’s offense. He is not only decisive in dribbling but also opens up space for his teammates. Nevertheless, the Blaugrana are not at their best in scoring, suffering from dips in form from their forwards, as neither Robert Lewandowski nor Ferran Torres are shining. For this reason, the 18-year-old star will need to take on a more goal-oriented role. Needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, the Blaugrana require scoring power more than ever. For this reason, Fermín López and Dani Olmo could take center stage creatively, while Lamine will need to excel in front of goal. As the team’s top scorer, the 18-year-old star has already shown his scoring ability, so he will need to step up at the forefront on this occasion. Frenkie de Jong’s comeback may prove differential for Barcelona Ahead of the first leg in the Champions League quarterfinals, Hansi Flick had to cope with the difficult absence of Frenkie de Jong in midfield. While Eric García emerged as a decent solution, he was unable to shine offensively, limiting the team’s progression. The Dutchman is set to get playing time against Espanyol, creating significant opportunities to start in the second leg against Atlético Madrid. If Frenkie manages to start in the second leg, the Blaugrana would gain consistency in midfield, as well as an ideal partner for playmaking. This would allow Lamine Yamal and Rashford to receive the ball further up the pitch, creating more opportunities to score and push for a comeback. Nevertheless, Fermín López might need to step up, shining once again offensively, breaking Atlético Madrid’s defense.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Philippe Auclair, Lars Sivertsen and Sid Lowe after a disappointing Liverpool performance at PSG. On the podcast today: Liverpool are outplayed by PSG from the start, creating almost nothing all game and possibly fortunate to leave Paris only two goals down. Elsewhere, in Barcelona, the whole game changes in a minute. Barcelona were on top before Pau Cubarsi’s red card and a stunning Julián Alvarez free-kick … meaning it’s advantage Atlético for the second leg in Madrid. Plus, there’s a Premier League preview with huge games at the top and the bottom, Fifa’s new partnership and your questions answered.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Philippe Auclair, Lars Sivertsen and Sid Lowe after a disappointing Liverpool performance at PSG. Subscribe to The Guardian Football Weekly ► https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 On the podcast today: Liverpool are outplayed by PSG from the start, creating almost nothing all game and possibly fortunate to leave Paris only two goals down. Elsewhere, in Barcelona, the whole game changes in a minute. Barcelona were on top before Pau Cubarsi’s red card and a stunning Julián Alvarez free-kick … meaning it’s advantage Atlético for the second leg in Madrid. Plus, there’s a Premier League preview with huge games at the top and the bottom, Fifa’s new partnership and your questions answered. Chapters: 00:00 - Coming up.. 00:41 - Liverpool avoid a hammering in Paris 20:20 - Sid Lowe on Barca, Atleti and Real 40:52 - Prem preview 52:46 - FIFA's new partner Support the Guardian ► https://support.theguardian.com/ Guardian Football Weekly podcast: Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/football-weekly/id188674007 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/6w8qWe0kjgHEHSWDSDGoLW?si=231c666f7f5a4453 Follow Guardian Football Weekly: Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/guardian_footballweekly/ TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@guardian_footballweekly #footballweekly #football #championsleague #liverpool #psg

On Wednesday's Football Daily Phil Egan has the key stories from the Champions League and looks ahead to tonight's action in the Europa League. Liverpool’s quarter-final hopes are in jeopardy after a 2–0 first-leg defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain. Arne Slot’s side failed to register a shot on target in a disappointing performance in Paris. Slot defended his decision to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench, saying there was little chance of scoring. Luis Enrique praised PSG’s creativity, with goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia coming from open play. Barcelona’s Champions League ambitions suffer following a 2–0 home loss to Atletico Madrid. Hansi Flick criticised VAR after a controversial handball incident that did not result in a penalty. Pau Cubarsi’s red card proved decisive as Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth put Atletico in control. Europa League quarter-final action includes Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in important first-leg ties. Troy Parrott looks to continue AZ Alkmaar’s Europa Conference League run against Shakhtar Donetsk. Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah faces another injury setback ahead of their clash with Fiorentina. Off The Ball returns with live League of Ireland commentary as St. Patrick’s Athletic host Shamrock Rovers. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Hello Rank Squad! It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the First Legs of the Quarter Finals - where PSG and Atletico Madrid both won by a 2-0 scoreline, albeit in very different ways. At the Parc des Princes, PSG took Liverpool to the cleaners for much of the 90 minutes - and will be somewhat disappointed that their lead that they will take to Anfield is only two goals - some profligate finishing and some excellent goalkeeping from Mamardashvili holding them to just the two goals, but this was one-sided in almost every sense. Liverpool went to a five at the back, and still couldn't contain the reigning Champions, and Arne Slot has a lot of questions to answer ahead of the reverse fixture at Anfield. In Part Two we head to Catalunya, where Atletico won at the Camp Nou for the first time in 20 years, and for the first time under Diego Simeone. It was a game of big decisions - VAR intervening to send off Pau Cubarsi for a last man challenge, whilst at the other end Marc Pubill got away with handling the ball in the box whilst on a yellow card. Hansi Flick was deeply concerned about the decision making, but he can be pleased with a lot of this performance from his side - who remain, deeply watchable partly due to their vulnerabilities. Atleti were clinical and resolute though, and will feel very good about the fact that they return home with a comfortable lead to defend. It's Ranks! And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? (http://patreon.com/ranksfc) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Atletico Madrid have underlined their determination to keep hold of Julian Alvarez amid increasing transfer interest from Arsenal.

BARCELONA ace Pau Cubarsi was hilariously snubbed by the pitch-side monitor just seconds after his red card against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Barca lost 2-0 to Atletico on Wednesday in the first leg of their quarter-final at the Nou Camp. Atleti earned a massive advantage in their bid to make it to the...

Hansi Flick questioned the value of having VAR following Barcelona’s 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid, after Marc Pubill avoided being sent off for a bizarre handball incident. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth saw Atleti leave Camp Nou with a smash-and-grab 2-0 win, with Pau Cubarsi’s red card late in the first […] The post ´Why do we have VAR?´ – Flick questions officials after Pubill avoids red card appeared first on Soccer News.

Barcelona 0-2 Atletico Madrid: A red card for Pau Cubarsi and a brilliant free-kick from Julian Alvarez put the visitors in control of their Champions League quarter-final

Julian Alvarez’s superb free-kick and Alexander Sorloth took advantage of Pau Cubarsi’s first-half dismissal at the Spotify Camp Nou.

With Julian Alvarez scoring an incredible free kick, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 win against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. FC Barcelona hosted Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, April 8, in the first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie at Spotify Camp Nou. Goals from Julian Alvarez, via a stunning free kick, and Alexander Sorloth gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 away victory. Barcelona controlled the ball for much of the opening period but struggled to create clear-cut chances against an Atletico side that threatened on the counter on multiple occasions. The game turned on its head in the 42nd minute when, following a long ball from Alvarez, Pau Cubarsi brought down Giuliano Simeone and was initially shown a yellow card, only for a VAR review to prompt referee Istvan Kovacs to upgrade the decision to a red. Absolute brilliance from Julián Álvarez 😮‍💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/SeyR3AjDrg — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2026 From that very free kick, Alvarez stepped up and curled a stunning effort into the top right corner to give Atletico the lead just before the break. Despite being reduced to ten men, Barcelona refused to sit back and pressed high in the second half, but Atletico punished them again in the 70th minute when Matteo Ruggeri delivered a fine cross for Sorloth to finish with his left foot and double the advantage. Lamine Yamal was a constant threat throughout, but Juan Musso produced a series of outstanding saves to preserve the clean sheet. Atletico now hold a significant advantage heading into the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano next Tuesday, April 14, where Barcelona will need to mount yet another comeback against the same opponents, though this time the task will be even more daunting on the road.

Atletico Madrid took the lead over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League thanks to Julian Alvarez. One of the most intriguing matchups in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals is the clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. In the first leg at Camp Nou, Los Colchoneros took the lead thanks to a brilliant goal from Julian Alvarez. It is a showdown between two of Spain’s giants, who have faced each other in crucial matchups across multiple competitions this season. In La Liga, Los Blaugranas hold the edge and, in fact, took a major step toward the title by defeating Atletico Madrid over the weekend. That result served as a measure of revenge after Atletico Madrid knocked them out in the Copa del Rey semifinals. On Wednesday, the match remained level until just minutes before halftime, with both teams creating scoring chances—especially the hosts. However, the deadlock was broken when VAR intervened, prompting referee Istvan Kovacs to upgrade a yellow card shown to Pau Cubarsi to a red. From that foul on the edge of the box came the moment that changed the match. Julian Alvarez, who had drawn the foul, stepped up and delivered a superb free kick, curling his shot into the top-left corner past Joan Garcia, who had no chance to stop it. Absolute brilliance from Julián Álvarez 😮‍💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/SeyR3AjDrg — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2026 In the second half, Barcelona controlled possession but lacked the precision to find an equalizer, while Atletico Madrid stayed compact defensively and capitalized on their lone clear opportunity. In the 70th minute, Alexander Sorloth scored after a cross from the left by Matteo Ruggeri, sealing the 2-0 result. Julian Alvarez perfects his free kicks The goal he scored this Wednesday against Barcelona was not the first free-kick goal of Julian Alvarez’s professional career. On the contrary, in recent years he has refined that skill, turning it into a valuable weapon to break open tightly contested matches. That ability, however, did not always define the Argentine forward, who failed to score a single free-kick goal during his four years with River Plate. Alvarez’s first free-kick goal came in September 2023—five years after his professional debut—in a match between Manchester City and Red Star Belgrade. Since joining Atletico Madrid, Julian Alvarez has scored five free-kick goals in fewer than two seasons. In fact, during this campaign, he had already found the net from a set piece in another crucial match, against Real Madrid in La Liga.

There is a concept in ancient Stoic philosophy called Amor Fati. Love of fate. The idea that a person of true character does not merely tolerate what the world throws at them. They do not grit their teeth and endure it. They embrace it. They walk toward the fire and find it warm. Marcus Aurelius… The post Lamine Yamal: The Boy Who Skipped the Development Curve first appeared on Breaking The Lines.