Alert, Sporting! Barça lose without Raphinha, could be Champions rivals | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid took advantage of Pau Cubarsí’s red card to build a two-goal lead against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals. Diego Simeone’s side could face Sporting in the semi-finals if both teams qualify.

Barcelona started well at Camp Nou, with Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal bursting down the wings, but it was Atlético Madrid who opened the scoring after the hosts suffered two setbacks close to half-time. The first goal came after Pau Cubarsí was sent off in the 44th minute for a foul on Giuliano Simeone, who was through on goal, and from the resulting free-kick, Julián Álvarez curled a shot into the top corner, giving Joan García no chance.

Hansi Flick’s team responded well after the break, with Rashford dribbling past Juan Musso in the 50th minute but shooting wide. Minutes later, the same players were involved again, with the Englishman, from a free-kick, forcing the Argentine to tip the ball onto the bar with his fingertips.

Despite the pressure, the visitors held firm and once again showed remarkable efficiency. This time it was substitute Alexander Sorloth who found the net, tapping in Matteo Ruggeri’s low cross from the left in the 70th minute.

It is worth remembering that Raphinha is injured. The winger picked up a hamstring problem after discomfort felt during the match between Brazil and France in the last international break. The former Sporting forward is only expected to return in May, also missing the second leg in Madrid on the 14th.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.