Julian Alvarez

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.

Arne Slot remains under pressure as Liverpool manager after the Reds were dominated by European champions PSG at the Parc des Princes in Paris. But, with only a two-goal deficit, do the Anfield side still have a chance in this tie? Steve Crossman is joined by ex-Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, senior football reporter Ian Dennis and French football journalist Julien Laurens to dissect Wednesday night’s game. And you’ll hear from Reds boss Arne Slot. Later in the show, reporter Mike Minay and Spanish journalist Ernest Macia explain how Diego Simeone made history with Atletico Madrid at Barcelona’s Camp Nou. Timecodes 03:00 Does this move the dial at all on Slot’s future? 04:45 “Playing a back 5 sends the wrong message” 05:30 Did Slot betray his and Liverpool’s principles? 12:50 Van Dijk on the back 5 13:15 Do Liverpool really have another famous Anfield night in them? 14:30 How good is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - could he be a Balon d’Or winner? 18:30 How can Liverpool stop PSG’s fluid attack at Anfield? 19:40 Arne Slot on PSG’s quality and why he played a back 5 22:47 How Atleti won at the Nou Camp for the first time since 2006 24:16 Spanish journalist Ernest Macia explains what Barcelona lacked 25:20 How good was Julian Alvarez’s free-kick?! Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Thu 2000 Bologna v Aston Villa in UEL, Sat 1500 Brentford v Everton in PL, Sat 1500 Burnley v Brighton in PL (Sports Extra), Sat 1730 Liverpool v Fulham in PL, Sun 1400 Sunderland v Tottenham in PL, Sun 1400 Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa in PL (Sports Extra), Sun 1400 Crystal Palace v Newcastle United in PL (Sports Extra 2), Sun 1630 Chelsea v Manchester City in PL.

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

Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth struck as Atlético Madrid upset 10-man Barcelona to win the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal 2-0.

Atletico Madrid took a huge step towards the Champions League semi-finals as Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scored in a stunning 2-0 win over 10-man Barcelona. Barca dominated for long periods in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at Camp Nou, which represented the teams’ fifth meeting of the season and their second in […] The post Barcelona 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Alvarez and Sorloth goals push Simeone´s men towards semi-finals appeared first on Soccer News.

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.

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth's goals earned Atletico Madrid a commanding 2-0 lead over 10-man Barcelona in a tense Champions League quarter-final first leg clash on Wednesday. The post Atletico punishes 10-man Barcelona, takes control of Champions League series appeared first on Soccer America.

Julian Alvarez’s brilliance inspired Atletico Madrid to a huge 2-0 first-leg win at 10-man Barcelona to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.

Julian Alvarez’s brilliance inspired Atletico Madrid to a huge 2-0 first-leg win at 10-man Barcelona to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.

Julian Alvarez’s brilliance inspired Atletico Madrid to a huge 2-0 first-leg win at 10-man Barcelona to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.

Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth give Atletico Madrid a 2-0 victory over 10-man Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Nou Camp.

Atletico Madrid took a firm grip on their Champions League ⁠quarter-final as goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth earned a 2-0 first-leg victory over 10-man Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

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.

MARCUS RASHFORD was upstaged by Atletico Madrid’s two Premier League ex-pats. Julian Alvarez, another who swapped Manchester for Spain, struck a first half free-kick to set Atletico on course for a Champions League upset. Alexander Sorloth, the former Crystal Palace flop, then made certain of the first leg advantage against 10-man Barcelona, who played the...

The 26-year-old Argentina forward looks set for a decisive few months, beginning with a Champions League quarter-final at Barcelona

Julian Alvarez has been strongly linked to a transfer away from Atletico Madrid, with Arsenal and Barcelona as potential suitors

Ally McCoist believes an ex-Premier League player has a straightforward decision to make in the summer transfer window.

Lamine Yamal became the youngest player this century to score a La Liga hat-trick as Barcelona thumped Villarreal 4-1 to move top of the table. We ask if this Barcelona side now have the momentum to push on. The Champions League draw has served up blockbuster ties: Real Madrid face familiar foes Manchester City, Barcelona take on Newcastle United, and Atletico Madrid travel to Tottenham. A potential all-Spanish quarter-final between Barcelona and Atletico awaits. Elsewhere, Julian Alvarez was Atletico's hero with a 94th-minute winner against Real Oviedo, while Sevilla fought back from two down to draw the Seville derby. With the title race heating up and European giants set to collide, we assess where Spain's big three stand. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices