Atletico Madrid produced a sensational feat as they won 2-1 against Bayer Leverkusen, snatching victory in the final minutes of their 2024-25 Champions League encounter.
The Spanish team showed remarkable resilience, playing with just 10 players after midfielder Pablo Barrios was sent off in the 25th minute for a careless tackle on Leverkusen’s Nordi Mukiele.
Bayer Leverkusen took the initiative by scoring in added time of the first half, thanks to a goal from Piero Hincapie. However, Atletico Madrid showed unwavering determination. In the second half, Argentine striker Julian Alvarez equalized in the 52nd minute, completing a well-orchestrated counterattack.
The match took an even more dramatic turn when Leverkusen’s Hincapie received a second yellow card in the 76th minute, leading to a short-handed battle. Seizing this opportunity, Atletico stepped up the pressure. In a thrilling conclusion, Alvarez took advantage of a Leverkusen defensive error in the 90th minute to score the winning goal and seal the fate of the match.
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-After the match, Alvarez reflected on the team’s spirit, saying: “Things seemed difficult, but we maintained our game and our humility, and we got the equalizer. Then, with both teams at 10 men, we took the chance to win.”
The hard-fought victory propels Atletico Madrid to third place in the Champions League table, guaranteeing them a direct passage to the round of 16. Alvarez stressed the importance of this match, adding: “These are three very important points that show us the importance of believing in what we do.”
The result not only strengthens Atletico Madrid’s position in the tournament, but also serves as a valuable confidence boost ahead of their upcoming clash against Red Bull Salzburg.
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Atlético Madrid achieve spectacular victory against Bayer Leverkusen
