First Division - Day 22

Barcelona 2 - Atlético Madrid 1

Barcelona: Claudio Bravo; Dani Alves (Sergi Roberto 82‘), Piqué, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Rakitic (Arda Turan 67‘), Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar. 4-3-3.
Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis; Gabi (Jesús Gámez 46’), Augusto Fernández (Thomas 76‘); Saúl Ñíguez, Carrasco, Koke; Griezmann (Savic 67‘). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 10. Koke. Turned shot wide of Bravo after Saúl Ñíguez crossed from right.
1-1. 30. Messi. Connected with Jordi Alba centre to fire shot inside near post.
2-1. 38. Luis Suárez. Picked up long Dani Alves pass and shot under Oblak.

Yellow cards: Godín 23’, 65’, Gabi 25’, Juanfran 41’, Thomás 92‘ / red cards: Filipe Luis 44’, Godín 65’.

Barcelona move three points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand after a 2-1 victory over their closest rivals Atlético Madrid on Saturday afternoon. The two teams started the match level on points, but the visitors took an early lead when Koke turned in Saúl Ñíguez’s cross in the tenth minute. Saúl had already tested Bravo before that, and Augusto Fernández fired a long shot wide as the visitors had the better of the opening twenty minutes. However by half time Luis Enrique’s side turned the scoreline around, Messi making it all square from a Jordi Alba cross, and Luis Suárez running on to a long ball from Dani Alves to hold off Giménez and turn a shot under Oblak. Just before the break Atleti were left with ten men when Filipe Luis was sent off for a dangerous tackle of Messi, but only a providential foot from Bravo prevented Griezmann from levelling the scores again after the interval. A few minutes later though Godín was also red carded after picking up a second booking for a sliding tackle on his fellow countryman Luis Suárez, and although they battled right through to the end, there was little chance they could prevent a defeat after that.