Champions League roundup: Atlético Madrid fight back to stun Leverkusen

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Champions League roundup: Atlético Madrid fight back to stun Leverkusen
Author: Reuters
Published: Jan, 21 2025 23:12

Atlético Madrid fought back from a goal and a man down to rescue a dramatic 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. The hosts played more than an hour with a 10 men after midfielder Pablo Barrios was shown a straight red card for a reckless studs-up tackle from behind on Jeremie Frimpong in the 24th minute. Jan Oblak made a string of saves but the Germans broke the deadlock just before the break with a headed goal by Piero Hincapié.

 [Samuel Iling-Junior scores for Bologna to earn a 2-1 home win over struggling Dortmund.]
Image Credit: the Guardian [Samuel Iling-Junior scores for Bologna to earn a 2-1 home win over struggling Dortmund.]

The game appeared to be Leverkusen’s to lose, but Atlético found a leveller as Julián Álvarez brilliantly finished a counterattack in the 52nd minute. Hincapié was then sent off after picking up a second booking for a foul from behind on Giuliano Simeone in the 76th minute, giving Atlético the incentive to chase a winner.

 [Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring his side’s fourth goal against Sturm Graz.]
Image Credit: the Guardian [Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring his side’s fourth goal against Sturm Graz.]

Diego Simeone’s side piled on the pressure until Álvarez was played in by substitute Ángel Correa, beat the offside trap, went round the goalkeeper and tapped the ball into the empty net to spark wild celebrations in the 90th minute. The victory lifted Diego Simeone’s side to third in the standings on 15 points, three behind second-placed Barcelona – who won 5-4 at Benfica in another thrilling comeback – and six behind leaders Liverpool. Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are sixth, one of seven sides currently sitting on 13 points.

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