It didn't take long for Tuesday's Champions League clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to turn into a maelstrom of absurdity.
And it's fitting that the man at the center of the vortex, Fernando Torres, is nicknamed after an unpredictable weather system -- El Niño.
The Spanish forward has been enjoying a bit of a career renaissance back with his boyhood club, but Tuesday's pivotal first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals proved to be equal parts exultant and infuriating.
At the 25-minute mark, El Niño pounced on a beautifully threaded Koke pass to give Los Colchoneros a vital away goal. From there, it seemed like an upset was in the cards ... but Torres wasn't done.
Tensions continued to rise in the battle between La Liga rivals, and Torres picked up a yellow for a reckless foul in the 29th minute. By minute 35, Torres was headed for an early shower. Another foolish (and not at all necessary) challenge forced referee Felix Byrch's hand, and Torres received a second yellow and subsequent red card.
So, that's a goal and a sending off in a matter of 10 minutes, making Torres the first player to accomplish that ignominious feat in Champions League match since Yaya Toure in November 2014.
The sending off proved to be costly for Atletico, as Barcelona capitalized not once, but twice on the man-advantage in the second half. A pair of goals from Luis Suarez gave Barcelona the first-leg win, but Torres’ strike does give Atletico a valuable away goal.
With his red-card suspension looming, though, El Niño won’t be around to help his team’s cause in the second leg.
