New Delhi: Atletico Madrid defeated 10-man Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal at the Camp Nou, and PSG also beat Liverpool 2-0 at the Parc Des Princes in Paris on Wednesday, April 8.
Barcelona dominated the match, but Atletico’s solid defence, combined with brilliant counter-attacks, paid off after Pau Cubarsi was sent off in the 42nd minute. Barcelona’s captain, Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong missed the match, as Hansi Flick started Marcus Rashford.
He started the game well on the left and constantly stretched the Atletico defence. He gave Barcelona a lead in the 18th minute, tapping into an empty net from Yamal’s low cross at the far post, but the celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled the winger offside in the build-up.
Atletico sat deep in a five-man defensive line, conceding possession but not many clear chances. Yamal and Rashford attacked constantly from the wings, targeting Ruggeri and Nahuel Molina out wide. Atletico were dangerous on the counter-attack, with Alvarez and Ademola Lookman both missing chances.
The match changed late in the first half after referee Istvan Kovacs sent off Cubarsi following a VAR review for bringing down Giuliano Simeone as he raced through on goal in the 42nd minute, upgrading an initial yellow card to red. Atletico scored immediately from the resulting free kick, with Alvarez netting into the top right corner to stun the Camp Nou.
The hosts tried to make a comeback but struggled to break down Atletico. They doubled their lead in the 70th minute of the match when substitute Sorloth finished clinically. Atletico comfortably saw out the closing minutes of the game to take a commanding advantage into the second leg at home.
Doue, Kvaratskhelia score as PSG beat Liverpool
Defending champions Paris St Germain (PSG) defeated Liverpool as Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored goals in a 2-0 home victory in their Champions League quarter-final first leg match on Wednesday.
Doue scored the opening goal after picking up the ball on the left side of the box and struck a shot that took a slight deflection off Ryan Gravenberch and went out of Giorgi Mamardashvili’s reach. Liverpool’s defence struggled as Doue and Kvaratskhelia were denied by Mamardashvili.
Ousmane Dembele also missed a golden chance to double PSG’s advantage when he hit straight at the keeper. Liverpool didn’t manage to take a single shot at the goal in the first half. The visitors showed some intent in the second half, but failed to breach PSG’s defence.
Kvaratskhelia scored the second goal of the match in the 65th minute, rounding Mamardashvili and slotted the ball home. The second leg of the quarterfinals will be played on April 14, and 15.