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Watch: Alvarez curls in superb free-kick after Cubarsi is sent off

NurPhoto / Getty

Atletico Madrid scored immediately after Pau Cubarsi was sent off for Barcelona in Wednesday's opening leg of the Spanish rivals' Champions League quarterfinal scuffle.

The visitors' defense started to creak under the weight of Barcelona's attacks, but the script flipped just before halftime when Cubarsi was adjudged to have hauled down Giuliano Simeone to deny him a clear scoring opportunity.

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(Available to view in Canada only)

Julian Alvarez made the numerical advantage count in an instant. The forward, who's regularly the subject of reports concerning a potential transfer to Barcelona, expertly bent his effort so that the ball cleared the wall and sailed into the top corner.

(Available to view in U.S. only)

(Available to view in Canada only)

Atletico will take a 2-0 lead to their home in the Rosas neighborhood of Madrid after Alexander Sorloth doubled their lead in the 70th minute.

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