Atletico Madrid Defeats Bayer Leverkusen 2-1, Alvarez Scores Twice

Atletico Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, with Julian Alvarez scoring both goals after the hosts went down to 10 men early in the match. Despite Pablo Barrios' sending off for a reckless challenge, Leverkusen took the lead just before halftime through Piero Hincapie. In the second half, Alvarez equalized and then netted the winner in the 90th minute, ensuring Atletico's place in the top eight of the tournament. This win also ended Leverkusen's impressive 11-match winning streak. Alvarez's performance has been notable, as he has scored six goals in seven Champions League matches this season. The match highlighted Atletico's resilience and determination, especially in front of a passionate home crowd.