PRAGUE, Czech Republic — When a free kick was awarded just outside the penalty area, Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez wasted no time in seizing the opportunity. He recalled, “Upon seeing the free kick, I told Rodri (Rodrigo De Paul) that I was confident about taking the shot.” His faith was well-placed as he curled the ball skillfully into the net in the 15th minute, marking the first of two goals he contributed to Atlético’s impressive 6-0 victory over Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday—a record for the club’s largest away win in European competition.

Álvarez, who made headlines as Atlético’s standout signing during the offseason, has recently been brimming with confidence. He went on to score again in the 59th minute. “We’ll continue to rotate free kick responsibilities,” said Álvarez, reflecting on the team’s dynamic. This match brought his tally to seven goals in his last ten outings, and he has netted three times in his last three appearances across various competitions. Initially, the 24-year-old’s season started sluggishly with only two goals in his first ten games.

“It was only a matter of time before we started to sync effectively,” Álvarez stated. The forward joined Atlético after two successful seasons at Manchester City, and his adaptation appears to be on the rise. “We must continue along this path to keep enhancing our performance,” he added eloquently.

In addition to Álvarez’s contributions, Ángel Correa also made a significant impact by scoring twice, while teammates Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann each added a goal to the tally.

“We understand that in this competition format, acquiring three points and scoring goals is essential,” Álvarez emphasized. “Collecting points, along with creating scoring opportunities, is crucial for our continued success.” As of now, Atlético finds itself positioned 13th in the 36-team league standings, indicating a positive need for consistent performance moving forward.