FC Barcelona won a heated duel against Atlético Madrid and remains at the top of the La Liga table with a comfortable cushion over Real Madrid.
Leaders Barca won 2-1 at third-placed Atlético on matchday 30 and increased their lead over Real Madrid to seven points. The “Royals” had previously suffered a 1-2 defeat at RCD Mallorca.
Giuliano Simeone (39th) gave the hosts the lead, which Marcus Rashford (42nd) quickly equalized. Robert Lewandowski scored late (87th) to win for the Catalans.
The game against Atlético at the Metropolitano was the first of three duels within ten days. In the upcoming quarter-finals of the Champions League, the Catalans will also face “Atléti”.
It didn’t take long for both teams to get up to speed. Antoine Griezmann had the lead for “Atleti” in the 11th minute after a strong solo, but Barca keeper Joan Garcia was able to save.
Almost in return, Fermin Lopez missed Barca’s first great chance. Instead of passing to the completely unmarked Rashford in the penalty area, Fermin shot himself, but was denied by Atletico keeper Juan Musso. Fermin also missed the second big chance for the Catalans. After a magical through ball from Lamine Yamal, he only had keeper Musso in front of him, but put the ball just past the left post.
Griezmann and Yamal with great chances – Giulano Simeone scores
The game remained entertaining – and completely open: Griezmann missed the next big chance after almost half an hour, this time the post was in the way. But the aluminum also saved the game on the other side, after Yamal’s lob hit the outside post.
The first goal seemed only a matter of time – it came after a stroke of genius from Clement Lenglet: Atletico’s central defender, a former Barca player, sent a strong through ball to the starting Simeone, who ran right into the gap that Barca’s central defenders Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin had opened and also beat Barca’s keeper Garcia.
Rashford with the equalizer – Barca outnumbered Gonzalez after a red card
Atletico were in the lead – but Barca managed to respond quickly: Rashford initiated his goal himself with a run down the left side, got the ball back from Dani Olmo and sank it into the far corner.
In stoppage time in the first half, Atletico weakened: Nico Gonzalez, who had already been warned, knocked down Yamal, who had broken through, just before the edge of the penalty area. According to the pictures, referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer even decided on the emergency brake, and Gonzalez had to leave the field with a straight red card.
Red again for Barca’s Martin
Immediately after the restart, the balance seemed to be restored: Gerard Martin first hit the ball in a duel with Thiago Almada, but then also hit his opponent’s ankle with his open sole. Referee Busquets initially showed Barca’s defender red – but the decision was reversed after VAR intervention.
Barcelona continued to play with one more man – and subsequently increased the pressure. Yamal provided the next highlight after almost an hour, weaving past three opponents, but his shot slipped slightly and went just wide.
Barca oppressively superior – Lewandowski with the decision
Atleti coach Simeone had already completely used up his substitution quota at this point. The hosts just concentrated on defending the tie, which was wobbling alarmingly: Olmo broke through on the right and passed it back to Ferran Torres, but Musso did a great job of turning the shot around the post.
Twelve minutes before the end, Barca coach Hansi Flick brought in Robert Lewandowski. The veteran actually made the decision: the goal actually belonged to Joao Cancelo, who let two defenders out in the penalty area and fired from a tight angle. Musso parried the shot, but Lewandowski stood perfectly and pushed the ball over the line with his upper body.
