Advantage Atleti as 10 man Barca left on the brink

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. Barcelona dominated proceedings, but Atletico’s rock-solid defence combined ‌with swift ⁠counter-attacks paid off after Pau Cubarsi was sent off for hauling down Giuliano Simeone in the 42nd minute as the last man.

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Kane and Diaz give Bayern advantage over Real Madrid

Bayern Munich took control of their Champions League quarter-final with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, earning a slender first-leg advantage after a high-tempo contest in the Spanish capital. Vincent Kompany’s side struck just before halftime when ‌Serge Gnabry slipped ⁠a precise pass through for Luis Diaz, who beat the offside trap and fired low past keeper Andriy Lunin in the 41st minute.

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Sevilla sack manager Matías Almeyda

Sevilla have parted company with manager Matías Almeyda in the wake of their 2-0 loss to Valencia in LaLiga on Saturday. The Andalusian club sit 15th place in the table just three points above the drop with the 52 year old Argentine overseeing just one win in his last eight games. A replacement has not yet been named with their next game away to last placed Real Oviedo.

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Second half blitz sees Barcelona rout Newcastle

Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski each scored twice as a rampant Barcelona dumped Newcastle United out of the Champions League. The visitors showed immense spirit to twice equalise through the rapid Anthony Elanga in a competitive first half and cancel out goals from Raphinha and Marc Bernal. But the Magpies fell apart after the restart and goals from Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and a double from Lewandowski ended their European adventure in sobering fashion.

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Newcastle pay penalty as Barca battle to earn draw

Lamine Yamal rescued a draw for Barcelona with a 96th-minute penalty to deny Newcastle United a famous win in the Champions League. Newcastle looked to have taken control of the first leg of their last-16 tie when Harvey Barnes fired the hosts in front with a first-time finish late on. But Barcelona were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time after substitute Dani Olmo was brought down by Malick Thiaw inside the box. Lamine Yamal stepped up and coolly sent goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way to level the tie.

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