In a match worthy of rojiblanco history, Atlético Madrid pulled off an epic comeback in the Champions League, defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1. Despite playing with one man down from the 24th minute after Pablo Barrios was sent off and trailing on the scoreboard before halftime, the team coached by Diego Simeone rose to the occasion in the second half with two goals from Julián Álvarez, including the decisive strike in the 89th minute. This victory not only ended the German side's 11-match winning streak but also secured Atlético 15 points in the competition, bringing them closer to the top eight.

Barrios’ red card was a pivotal moment. The young midfielder received a straight red after a dangerous tackle on Mukiele, initially punished with a yellow card but upgraded following a VAR review. From that moment, the outlook seemed bleak for Atlético. Leverkusen’s pressure paid off with a goal from Piero Hincapié in the 45th minute, who appeared unmarked at the far post to finish a cross from Mukiele, silencing the Metropolitano. Down 0-1 and with a player less, many would have counted Atlético out.

However, Atlético showed their competitive spirit and returned for the second half determined to change the story. The equalizer came through Julián Álvarez, who capitalized on a brilliant long pass from Antoine Griezmann. With determination, the Argentine forward outran defender Jonathan Tah and seized on the center-back’s mistake to finish with class. The goal not only leveled the score but also filled the home side with confidence, allowing them to dominate despite their numerical disadvantage.

The game took another turn in the 76th minute when Piero Hincapié, Leverkusen’s goalscorer, was sent off after fouling Giuliano on the edge of the box. With both teams down to ten players, Atlético threw everything forward in search of victory. The roaring support from the crowd, inspired by Simeone’s energy, became a crucial factor in maintaining the team’s intensity.

The decisive moment came in the 89th minute. Julián Álvarez, the night’s hero, struck again to score the winning goal after relentless attacking pressure from Atlético. With this goal, the Metropolitano erupted in celebration, once again proving that Atlético never gives up, even in the most adverse situations.

The victory not only reinforces the competitive spirit of Simeone’s Atlético but also exposes Leverkusen’s inability to handle the pressure in high-stakes scenarios. Now, Atlético looks ahead with optimism to upcoming challenges in the Champions League, while Julián Álvarez solidifies his status as a key figure in the rojiblanco attack.

Leverkusen was clearly superior during the first half. Nathan Tella had a goal disallowed for offside, and Jan Oblak was forced to make several brilliant saves. Pablo Barrios was sent off in the 25th minute after a harsh tackle on Mukiele, while Florian Wirtz received a yellow card in the 44th minute.