SI

Watch: Atletico Madrid's Diego uncorks long-range golazo to stun Barcelona

Atletico Madrid's Diego uncorks a vicious long-range shot against Barcelona in the Champions League. (Manu Fernandez/AP) When Atlético Madrid hosts the return
Liviu Bird|
Watch: Atletico Madrid's Diego uncorks long-range golazo to stun Barcelona
Watch: Atletico Madrid's Diego uncorks long-range golazo to stun Barcelona

Atletico Madrid's Diego uncorks a vicious long-range shot against Barcelona in the Champions League. (Manu Fernandez/AP)

When Atlético Madrid hosts the return leg of its Champions League quarterfinal with FC Barcelona next week, it will be ahead on away goals. The first leg on Tuesday finished 1-1, and Atléti has substitute attacking spark Diego to thank for the slight advantage.

Diego Ribas da Cunha is not to be confused with Diego Costa, the injured star whom Diego replaced in the 30th minute against Barça. The diminutive substitute might not be as well known, but the goal he scored should only help his cause.

After Madrid took a free kick short on the right flank, Diego went past Xavi 1-on-1. He looked up toward goal before unleashing a long-range bullet toward the near post that nestled into the top corner. José Pinto -- in goal for the injured Victor Valdes -- extended and barely got a hand on the shot, but it was too powerful to be kept out.

LYTTLETON: Much still to be decided between Man Utd-Bayern, Barcelona-Atletico

Neymar equalized in the 71st minute to ensure next week's second leg of the matchup, to be held at Estadio Vicente Calderón, should be another excellent match between a pair of La Liga title contenders.

Watch Diego's 56th-minute strike below:

Video: Diego's spectacular goal breaks Barcelona deadlock

Fox Soccer

Published | Modified
Liviu Bird
LIVIU BIRD

Liviu Bird is a soccer analyst with more than 20 years of experience in the game. He learned how to play in the streets of Romania before moving to the soccer wilderness of Fairbanks, Alaska, escaping to play collegiately as a goalkeeper at Highline Community College and Seattle Pacific University, where he also earned his B.A. in journalism. Bird played semiprofessionally and had tryouts at professional clubs but hung up his gloves in 2012 to focus on writing and coaching at the youth and collegiate levels. He joined Sports Illustrated in March 2013 as a freelance contributor and has also written for NBC Sports, Soccer Wire, The New York Times, American Soccer Now and the Telegraph (UK).

Home/Soccer