Julian Alvarez’s brilliance inspired Atletico Madrid to a huge 2-0 first-leg win at 10-man Barcelona to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.
Two moments of the highest quality from Alvarez turned the game in Atletico's favour before half-time and set Diego Simeone on the way to his first win at Spotify Camp Nou as Barcelona's 14-game winning streak at the revamped stadium came to an end.
Alvarez found the top corner with a free-kick from 25 yards out immediately after Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off following a VAR review for a last-man challenge on Guiliano Simeone in a huge momentum swing.
The former Manchester City forward's lobbed through ball cut the Barcelona defence open, leading Cubarsi to clip the back leg of the Atletico head coach's son who would have otherwise been in on goal.
Barcelona remained dominant despite the red but conceded a second with 20 minutes left when Atletico substitute Alexander Sorloth turned in a cross to put his side in a strong position to reach the semi-finals, where either Arsenal or Sporting lie in wait.
Barca were furious Atletico substitute Marc Pubill, already on a booking, was spared any punishment for picking up the ball in his own area when goalkeeper Juan Musso rolled it to him at a goal-kick.
In an identical scenario, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said it was "unbelievable" the VAR failed to act.
Marcus Rashford, standing in for Barcelona's injured forward Raphinha from the start, had chances when his side were trailing by a goal but hit the bar and wasted a wonderful through ball from Lamine Yamal.
The on-loan Manchester United forward finished with seven shots, two more than Atletico's entire team, on a night when he threatened to shine but lacked a ruthless streak, also missing big opportunities when the scores were level.
Barcelona showed more than enough to give themselves hope of a second-leg comeback in Madrid next Tuesday, ending the night with a superior xG of 1.21 compared to Atletico's 0.45.
They can also take confidence from the fact they came close to overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit against Atletico in the Copa del Rey in February, losing 4-3 on aggregate over two legs.
Atletico produced a huge defensive stand to keep Barcelona from scoring at home for the first time in 40 matches, setting up the second leg perfectly for Simeone.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick to TNT Sports:
"You get nothing for being the better team. We were not lucky today. We had a good first half and then the red card and the goal. In the second half we played well with one player less.
"Atletico have high quality in the offence; their strikers are really good, but we have to stay positive. We have the quality to win there. It will be tough, but it is our great goal to reach the final.
"It feels a little bit far away, but we have the quality."
On the red card incident: 'For me it's unbelievable. Why didn't the VAR call to say, 'look at this situation'? I cannot understand that. It was a clear start to the game and a handball. It is a yellow card and a penalty to us."
Atletico Madrid forward Ademola Lookman to TNT Sports:
"Good result and performance from the team, especially not to concede here. That shows the work that everyone has been doing on togetherness.
"Scoring after they had a man sent off was key. Brilliant free-kick from Julian and the timing of Alexander Sorloth's goal as well.
"Barcelona are a top team and they put you in difficult moments. When you get your moments, you have to take them and we did that.
"The second leg is going to be a massive challenge and a massive game."
Analysis from Daniel Casallas Beltran:
Barcelona can sometimes be their own enemy. Despite Hansi Flick's complaints about the refereeing, the Catalans brought themselves misfortune after Pau Cubarsi's red card. This was Barcelona's fifth red card in the first half of a Champions League game in the past three years.
The lack of experience from defenders has been evident in high-intensity games, and on a Champions League night, they are likely to be further exposed.
Julian Alvarez did not waste a second to pounce on the opportunity to send Barcelona to the break a goal down. The brilliant free kick made it seem like it was already game over for the Catalans.
Pedri and Robert Lewandowski came off at half-time, with the Spanish midfielder reportedly having fitness issues.
Barcelona looked tirelessly for an equaliser, but with a man down, Lamine Yamal looked helpless every time he was surrounded by four defenders. Atletico were happy to sit back and wait for an opportunity to score. Funnily enough, they only created one big chance and took one shot in the second half: Alexander Sorloth's goal.
Without Cubarsi due to suspension and Raphinha because of an injury, as well as fitness doubts on Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal, Barcelona face an uphill battle to secure back-to-back Champions League semi-final appearances.
Only one team out of 32 has been able to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the Champions League knockout stage after playing the first leg at home: Marcus Rashford's Manchester United against Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. Will the Englishman step up again?
