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Diego Simeone sprints down the touchline to celebrate with his Atletico Madrid players after Julian Alvarez's last-gasp Champions League winner Alvarez was the hero of the hour for his side as he netted twice in crunch clash Atletico now sit third in the Champions League standings with one game left LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Ruben Amorim looks desperate...
it's a last resort to publicly out your players By TAMARA PRENN Published: 22:57, 21 January 2025 | Updated: 23:00, 21 January 2025 e-mail View comments Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone was a jubilant member of his side's celebrating squad after Julian Alvarez netted a late winner to help boost their chances of automatic Champions League qualification. The hosts on Tuesday evening were deadlocked at 1-1 with visitors Bayer Leverkusen, after levelling in the 53rd minute via Alvarez's opener. But with the prospect of a round of play-off matches for teams who do not finish in the top eight of the league phase, Simeone's side were intent on chasing the winner late on in the tie at the Metropolitano.
In the 89th minute, Leverkusen's defences were eventually overturned, with Alvarez again the hero of the hour as he picked up a sneaked pass into the box from team-mate Angel Correa. Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar slid to the turf to make the save, but with the ball glued to his feet, Alvarez angled a tightly struck shot past the prone 'keeper to help the hosts secure the win on home soil. But as Alvarez celebrated by the corner flag with his sprinting team-mates and those substitutes on the sidelines warming up, the throng were joined by an unexpected member of the side.
JULIAN ALVAREZ SURELY WINS IT FOR ATLETICO ⚽️ Cool as you like from the Argentine as he rounds Oblak to slot into the empty net to put Atleti 2-1 ahead 🔥 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/78ifniZy10 — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025 Atletico Madrid Diego Simeone (centre) was a surprise fixture in his side's wild celebrations The manager celebrated with his players after Julian Alvarez netted the latest of winners Simeone then sprinted back up the touchline back to his dugout as Atletico saw out the win Julian Alvarez (centre) has a formidable Champions League record, with 18 goal contributions in just 13 total starts Simeone was in the midst of a pile-on on top of Alvarez, and only became visible as he detangled himself from his players and jogged back to the dugout.
With moments left to play, Alvarez was substituted off but even without their opponents' danger man on the pitch, Leverkusen were unable to find the latest of equalisers. Alvarez's home brace were his 15th and 16th goals for the club since his summer move from English champions Manchester City, and the Argentine star has scored an impressive six in the Champions League alone. The 24-year-old also has 18 goal involvements across his 13 Champions League starts across his time at both of the European giants.
The win at home lifts Atletico to third in the league phase standings with just one game left to play in the competition - three points behind LaLiga rivals Barcelona, and six off runaway leaders Liverpool. Leverkusen sit sixth, just inside the automatic qualification places, with 13 points. Diego Simeone Champions League Atletico Madrid Share or comment on this article: Diego Simeone sprints down the touchline to celebrate with his Atletico Madrid players after Julian Alvarez's last-gasp Champions League winner e-mail Add comment.
