Cubarsi red card reduces Barca to 10 as Alvarez scores stunning free-kick

It was a truly end-to-end start to this FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Champions League quarter-final first leg. Both sides created chances, but it was the Blaugrana who came closest to breaking the deadlock. In fact, Rashford thought he had scored, only for the goal to be ruled out for an earlier offside by Lamine.

The match appeared destined for a goalless first half, but everything changed in the dying moments. Giuliano latched onto a through ball, and Pau Cubarsi made just enough contact to unbalance him. The referee initially awarded a foul and showed a yellow card. However, the VAR intervened, and after reviewing the footage for several minutes, the official reversed his decision, with Kovacs brandishing a red card.

Julian Alvarez stepped up to take the resulting free-kick. The Argentine wasted no time, curling the ball into the only spot beyond Joan Garcia's reach, unleashing a stunning strike.

This marked the 'Spider's' 18th goal of the season, and his 9th in the Champions League, making him the Rojiblancos' top scorer in the competition. Meanwhile, Pau Cubarsi joins a list of Barca players sent off in the first half of a Champions League match, a repeat for the central defender who also received a red card against Benfica last season in the 22nd minute.