Atletico Madrid defeat Barcelona and give Simeone his first win at the Camp Nou

Atletico Madrid defeat Barcelona and give Simeone his first win at the Camp Nou

 Atletico Madrid tightened their grip on the Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday, with goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Solauth securing a 2-0 first-leg victory over 10-man Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona dominated possession, but Atletico's solid defense and swift counter-attacks paid off after Pau Coparci was sent off in the 42nd minute for bringing down Giuliano Simeone as the last defender. Alvarez expertly curled the resulting free-kick from 25 meters into the top corner in first-half stoppage time, silencing the packed Camp Nou crowd.

Rashford hit the crossbar with a free kick shortly after the start of the second half, but Simeone's team maintained their composure and doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Matteo Ruggeri delivered a cross from the left that Sorloth volleyed home from close range, sealing a crucial away victory. 

This was Simeone's first win as Atlético Madrid manager against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, having previously managed the team in 19 matches, with Wednesday's victory being his only other victory.