Even without top scorer Robert Lewandowski, FC Barcelona used the blunder of their eternal rival Real Madrid and extended the lead in the table in front of the royal team.
The Catalans won the top game of the Spanish La Liga at Atlético Madrid 1-0 (1-0). French Vice World Champion Ousmane Dembélé (22nd) scored the goal of the day.
Real had lost 1-2 (0-0) at Villarreal the day before. Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema (60′) scored for the champions, while Ferland Mendy (47′) and Gerard Moreno (63′, penalty) scored for Villarreal.
Ex-Munich David Alaba caused the decisive penalty in a curious way.
Barca are now three points clear of Real after 16 matchdays. Lewandowski was suspended from coach Xavi’s team, and national goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has kept a clean sheet for the twelfth time this season.
In the closing stages, Atletico’s Stefan Savic and Barcelona’s Ferran Torres were both sent off after a fierce scuffle (90′ + 2′).