Barcelona looked in control for much of the game, showcasing their attacking prowess early on at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Pedri opened the scoring in the 30th minute, finishing a slick move with Gavi, who provided a deft backheel assist. The young Spanish duo’s connection proved effective, with Pedri calmly slotting past Jan Oblak.
Despite their dominance, Barcelona struggled to capitalize further. Gavi missed a golden opportunity when he failed to direct a header on target from a Raphinha cross. Moments later, Fermin López forced Oblak into a sharp save, Pedri fired narrowly over, and Raphinha struck the crossbar with an ambitious lob. Their inability to extend the lead would prove costly.
Atletico, who entered the match level on points with their hosts, endured sustained pressure but remained resilient. Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Rodrigo De Paul capitalized on a costly error. A failed backheel clearance by Marc Casado gifted De Paul a chance, and he seized it with a clinical strike into the bottom corner.
Barcelona, playing under Hansi Flick’s absence due to a touchline ban, pushed for a winner in the closing stages. However, wasteful finishing continued to haunt them.
Deep into injury time, Atletico delivered a hammer blow. Nahuel Molina’s pinpoint cross found substitute Alexander Sorloth, who fired in a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The goal sent the visitors into wild celebrations as they claimed their 12th consecutive victory in all competitions.
The win lifts Atletico three points clear at the top of La Liga, leaving Barcelona second, having played an extra match. Hansi Flick’s side now risks falling to third if Real Madrid overcome Sevilla on Sunday. For Barcelona, the result marks their third straight home defeat in the league, capping off a dramatic turnaround in the title race since early November, when they held a commanding 10-point lead over Atletico.
