Barcelona transfer seven factors away from Actual Madrid on the high of Spanish soccer’s La Liga after beating Atletico 2-1.
Revealed On 4 Apr 2026
Robert Lewandowski shouldered residence a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 to maneuver seven factors clear on the high of La Liga after Actual Madrid slipped up.
Second-placed Actual have been crushed 2-1 at Mallorca earlier on Saturday, and Barca capitalised on the Metropolitano stadium to take an enormous step in direction of defending the league title.
Beneficial Tales
checklist of 4 objectsfinish of checklist
Marcus Rashford pulled Barca stage after Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring for the hosts within the first half.
Atletico midfielder Nico Gonzalez was despatched off simply earlier than the break, and his crew dug deep with 10 males to try to keep away from defeat, which they virtually managed.
Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski had different concepts and used his shoulder to deflect residence a rebound from point-blank vary after 87 minutes.
With little left to play for in La Liga, Atletico coach Diego Simeone rotated closely, with Wednesday’s go to to Camp Nou in thoughts.
His Barca counterpart, Hansi Flick, opted for Dani Olmo as a false 9 to relaxation Lewandowski, whereas beginning Rashford rather than the injured Raphinha on the left wing.
The England worldwide, on mortgage from Manchester United, examined Juan Musso early on with a free-kick, which the goalkeeper fielded comfortably.
On the different finish, Antoine Griezmann, enjoying for Atletico for the primary time since asserting his departure on the finish of the season to MLS aspect Orlando Metropolis, was profligate.
The ahead skipped into the field and cleverly nutmegged Gerard Martin, however his shot was too near Barca stopper Joan Garcia to bother the brand new Spain worldwide.
Fermin Lopez was equally wasteful on the different finish, unable to search out Rashford, who had a transparent sight of objective, and prodding large himself when Lamine Yamal despatched him scuttling by way of with a sensational move.
Barca’s 18-year-old star Yamal hit the publish with a dinked effort after Lopez laid the ball off to him as the sport flowed from finish to finish.
Atletico took the lead within the thirty ninth minute by way of Giuliano Simeone, the coach’s son, bursting in behind Barca’s excessive defensive position onto Clement Lenglet’s move and slamming previous Garcia.
The guests pulled stage simply three minutes later, Rashford exchanging passes with Olmo and drilling previous Musso on solely his third league begin since January.
Atletico have been lowered to 10 males simply earlier than half-time, when Gonzalez scythed down Yamal on the sting of the field as he ran in direction of objective.
Barcelona defender Martin was dismissed early within the second half as he thumped the ball away, however then clattered Thiago Almada with a excessive foot. Nevertheless, after a VAR overview, the pink card was revoked, a lot to Atletico’s fury.
Barca substitute Ferran Torres, and not using a objective since January, was twice thwarted by Musso because the guests probed for a winner however struggled to make their numerical benefit rely.
Ultimately, their winner got here when Joao Cancelo lower his manner into the penalty space, and his cross-shot was pushed out by Musso, just for wily striker Lewandowski to knock it residence along with his shoulder.
