Liverpool came from behind to defeat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at Anfield in their opening Champions League match of the 2026-27 campaign, despite Julián Álvarez starting for the Spanish side after doubts over his fitness and involvement.

Marcos Llorente gave Atlético an early lead in the 17th minute after Álvarez created the opening with a well-weighted pass. Liverpool responded before half-time through Dominik Szoboszlai, before Alexis Mac Allister completed the comeback early in the second half.

The result handed new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola a winning start in the Champions League, while Diego Simeone's Atlético suffered their second consecutive defeat after their 3-0 loss to Athletic Club in La Liga.

Julián Álvarez Starts Despite Pre-Match Doubts

Álvarez's presence in the starting XI was one of the biggest talking points before kick-off.

Simeone had initially indicated that the Argentina international was not yet ready to start, saying the forward was still progressing physically. However, the Atlético coach ultimately changed his plans and selected Álvarez from the beginning alongside Kang-in Lee.

The decision quickly paid off. Álvarez dropped deeper to receive the ball and then released Llorente into space, with the midfielder finishing from the edge of the box to put Atlético ahead.

The former Manchester City forward also tested Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson with a long-range effort later in the first half.

Liverpool Turn the Game Around

Liverpool continued to control large periods of the contest despite falling behind.

Szoboszlai restored parity in the 40th minute, giving the home side momentum heading into the interval. Mac Allister then struck in the 50th minute to put Liverpool ahead.

Atlético attempted to respond but struggled to maintain sustained attacking pressure as Liverpool's intensity increased.

The Spanish side also had goalkeeper Jan Oblak to thank for preventing the deficit from becoming larger, with the experienced goalkeeper making several important interventions.

Atlético's Squad Issues Before Anfield

Atlético arrived in England without several players available to Simeone.

Alexander Sørloth was ruled out with a thigh problem, while Arnau Ortiz was unavailable because of a European suspension dating back to his sending-off for Slask Wroclaw in 2024. His suspension carried over after his move to Atlético.

The club was also managing the fitness of new signing Jonathan David, who had only recently joined and had experienced a problem before a recent match.

Despite those concerns, Simeone had enough attacking options to select Álvarez, Kang-in Lee and other summer additions.

Álvarez's Difficult Summer Continues

The Champions League appearance came after a turbulent summer for Álvarez.

The Argentina striker was linked with a move away from Atlético, with Barcelona reportedly among the clubs interested. Atlético ultimately kept the forward, and his return to the squad was met with some hostility from sections of the club's support after the transfer controversy.

His start at Anfield therefore represented an important moment for both player and club.

Álvarez had been one of Atlético's most productive players in the previous Champions League campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in 15 appearances, according to Spanish outlet AS.

Liverpool Begin European Campaign With a Statement

Liverpool's 2-1 victory gives Iraola a strong start on the European stage and extends the club's positive opening to the Champions League campaign.

For Atlético, the defeat highlights the challenges facing a squad that has undergone significant changes and is still adapting to new arrivals.

Despite the result, Álvarez's performance was one of the more encouraging aspects for Simeone. After a difficult period surrounding his future, the forward was trusted with a starting role at one of Europe's most demanding venues and played a direct part in Atlético's opening goal.

The defeat means Atlético will now look to respond in their next Champions League fixture, while Liverpool can build on a comeback victory that underlined their ability to recover from an early setback.

The quarter-final, played in Kansas City on Saturday, remained finely balanced for long periods before Argentina produced two decisive goals late in extra time to secure their place among the last four. The result also keeps Lionel Messi's hopes of ending his World Cup career with back-to-back titles intact.

Argentina made a bright start and took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a Lionel Messi corner to give the South American side an early advantage. Switzerland, however, refused to back down and gradually worked their way back into the contest.

The equaliser arrived midway through the second half when Dan Ndoye found the net after sustained Swiss pressure. The goal shifted momentum and briefly raised hopes of another major upset in the tournament.

The match took another turn in the 72nd minute when Switzerland were reduced to 10 men. Forward Breel Embolo received a second yellow card following a VAR-reviewed simulation decision, leaving the European side to defend with a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of normal time and extra time. The dismissal proved to be one of the defining moments of the contest.

Despite enjoying an extra player, Argentina struggled to break through during the first period of extra time. It was Julián Álvarez who finally unlocked the Swiss defence with a stunning long-range strike in the 112th minute, sending Argentine supporters into celebration.

As Switzerland pushed forward in search of another equaliser, Lautaro Martínez added a third goal deep into extra time to seal the victory and end the resistance of a spirited Swiss side.

The win sends Argentina into a heavyweight semi-final against England, who secured their own last-four berth after defeating Norway earlier in the quarter-finals. The fixture revives one of international football's most historic rivalries and will decide who advances to the FIFA World Cup final.

Argentina's road to the semi-finals has been anything but straightforward. Lionel Scaloni's side survived an extra-time battle against Cape Verde in the Round of 32 before producing a dramatic comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16. Their latest triumph over Switzerland extends their unbeaten run in the tournament, although each knockout match has tested the defending champions in different ways.

While Messi did not add to his goal tally, the Argentine captain once again played an influential role by providing the assist for the opening goal and orchestrating attacks throughout the evening. His experience and leadership remain central to Argentina's campaign as they move closer to another World Cup final.

The other semi-final will see France face Spain, ensuring that four of world football's traditional heavyweights remain in contention for the title. With the knockout stage now entering its decisive phase, the battle for football's biggest prize promises two blockbuster semi-final clashes featuring some of the sport's biggest stars.