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Julian Alvarez signed for Atletico Madrid from Man City for £81m Julian Alvarez's double inspired Atletico Madrid to a thumping Champions League win at Sparta Prague. Diego Simeone's side started the match in 23rd spot in the league table - just inside the play-off places - and looking to record consecutive European wins having beaten Paris St-Germain in their most recent fixture. This was the first competitive meeting between Sparta and Atletico - and it was ignited in the first half by former Manchester City forward Alvarez, who bent a superb free-kick into the top corner. Marcos Llorente added a deserved second for the visitors before the break, and while the hosts had plenty of possession they failed to trouble Atletico. Alvarez grabbed his second and his team's third midway through the second half, controlling Giuliano Simeone's pass inside the box before hammering beyond Peter Vindahl. Antoine Griezmann added a fourth on his 100th Champions League appearance, before fellow substitute Angel Correa netted twice in quick succession late on to sprinkle more icing on the visitors' dominant display. Atletico now have nine points from their opening five matches - level on points with eighth-placed Aston Villa but having played a game more. The top eight teams will automatically progress to the knockout stage, with teams finishing ninth to 24th facing a play-off. Champions League scores & fixtures Champions League table Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22: 00 on Wednesday on BBC i Player and the BBC Sport website and app. There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22: 40 to 00: 00. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 26th November 2024 at 21: 57 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Lars Friis Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Lars Friis Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Manager: Diego Simeone Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 UEFA Champions League All competitions This will be the first ever meeting between Sparta Prague and Atlético Madrid, with the side from Czechia last facing a Spanish side in the UEFA Champions League in March 2002 – a 0-3 defeat to Real Madrid. Sparta Prague have lost all four of their previous matches against Spanish sides in the UEFA Champions League (two games versus both Barcelona and Real Madrid), conceding 13 goals and only scoring three times themselves. Atlético Madrid have only played two away games against sides from Czechia in Europe. The most recent one was in December 2012 against Viktoria Plzen, in a 0-1 defeat in the UEFA Europa League. The other was a 4-2 win over FC Zlín in the UEFA Intertoto Cup in July 2004 – a game in which Diego Simeone started for Atlético. Sparta Prague’s one win in the UEFA Champions League this season came on MD1, at home to RB Salzburg. They led for 98% of that match after opening the scoring in the 2nd minute, yet they’ve not been ahead at any point in the competition since then (D1 L2). Atlético Madrid won 2-1 away to Paris SG in their previous UEFA Champions League outing, despite only having 29% possession in the match. This was their lowest possession average on record (since 2003-04) for a league/group phase victory in the competition, and their lowest overall since beating Liverpool in a round of 16 tie in February 2020 (27%). Atlético Madrid have won six points from losing positions in the UEFA Champions League this season; the most of any side. Of the five 90th-minute winning goals scored in the competition this term, two of them have been netted by Diego Simeone’s side (90th minute v RB Leipzig and 93rd minute v Paris SG). Sparta Prague have the lowest pass completion rate under high-intensity pressure in the UEFA Champions League this season (64%), while also ranking last in the competition for average possession (30%). Atlético Madrid pair Antoine Griezmann and Koke have both made 99 career appearances in the UEFA Champions League. If they both feature in this game, it’ll be the first time two teammates have made their 100th appearance in the competition in the same match. Victor Olatunji and Kaan Kairinen have both scored two goals for Sparta Prague in the UEFA Champions League this season. The last player to net more in a single campaign in the competition for Sparta is Libor Sionko, who scored four goals in 12 games in 2001-02. Only Marco Asensio (48) has made more substitute appearances in UEFA Champions League history than Atlético Madrid’s Ángel Correa (46). Three of the Argentinean’s four goals in the competition have been scored after coming off the bench, including one in their victory over Paris SG on MD4. Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Jakub Pesek (Sparta Prague). Foul by Javi Galán (Atletico Madrid). Ermal Krasniqi (Sparta Prague) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Offside, Atletico Madrid. Conor Gallagher is caught offside. Attempt blocked. Alexander Sørloth (Atletico Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul. Second Half begins Sparta Prague 0, Atletico Madrid 2. First Half ends, Sparta Prague 0, Atletico Madrid 2. Attempt missed. Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Giuliano Simeone. Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid). Qazim Laçi (Sparta Prague) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time. Attempt saved. Filip Panák (Sparta Prague) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Qazim Laçi. Foul by Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid). Jakub Pesek (Sparta Prague) wins a free kick on the left wing. Goal! Sparta Prague 0, Atletico Madrid 2. Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Conor Gallagher following a corner. Corner, Atletico Madrid. Conceded by Mathias Ross. Attempt blocked. Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul. Attempt blocked. Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alexander Sørloth. Offside, Atletico Madrid. Clément Lenglet is caught offside. © 2024 BBC. 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