Atletico Madrid edge Barcelona to claim top spot in La Liga | The Express Tribune

Atletico Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga with a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

A dramatic stoppage-time strike from substitute Alexander Sorloth sealed the win, extending Atletico’s unbeaten run to 12 games across all competitions and leaving them three points clear at the summit, with a match in hand over their closest rivals.

Barcelona took the lead in the 30th minute through Pedri, who both orchestrated and finished the move.

After surging forward from midfield, the Spain international linked up with Gavi, whose deflection inadvertently returned the ball to Pedri.

The midfielder then calmly slotted the ball past Jan Oblak to give the Catalans the advantage.

The home side dominated much of the first half, suffocating Atletico’s attempts to build momentum with aggressive pressing and sharp passing. Despite missing teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal through injury, Barcelona had several opportunities to extend their lead, with Fermin Lopez and Raphinha both coming close.

However, Atletico struck back in the second half. A misplaced backheel clearance by Marc Casado fell kindly to Rodrigo De Paul, who powered a low strike into the bottom corner in the 62nd minute. The goal marked De Paul’s third in four league outings, underlining his growing influence in midfield.

As the match reached its final stages, both sides pushed for a winner. Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski missed a close-range opportunity, while at the other end, Oblak denied Raphinha after another incisive pass from Pedri.

Deep into stoppage time, Atletico found the breakthrough. Nahuel Molina delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Sorloth, who came off the bench, hammered the ball home to secure all three points.

“It feels incredible to finally win here at Barcelona since my arrival,” Oblak told Movistar after the match. “We endured a difficult start, but we are in great form, and we managed to come back after conceding.”

This victory was not only crucial for Atletico’s title ambitions but also historic for manager Diego Simeone. It marked his first-ever away win against Barcelona in La Liga, a feat achieved through grit and perseverance.

Barcelona’s struggles continue, with the defeat marking their third consecutive home league loss—their worst streak since 1987. The team has now won just one of their last seven league matches, a slump that threatens to derail their season.

“It’s inexplicable… we had the game in our hands and didn’t take advantage,” said Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi. Pedri echoed the frustration, admitting, “It’s a tough defeat to take. When you don’t finish a game, this is what can happen.”

Despite the setback, manager Hansi Flick remained optimistic. “We will fight for every point to win this league,” he said. “This is how we want to play in the future, so we will take this and bring it with us to next year.”

Atletico’s ability to strike late has been a hallmark of their campaign, with the team scoring in the 90th minute or later in 13 matches across all competitions this season. Sorloth, who has started just seven league games, is now the team’s top scorer with eight goals.

Simeone praised the Norwegian forward’s contributions, saying, “His impact in those 20, 30, or 40-minute spells is extraordinary.”

As the winter break approaches, Atletico sit firmly atop the table, while Barcelona must regroup and address their faltering form. The race for the La Liga title promises to be fierce as the season progresses.