Atletico Madrid sealed a late comeback win to beat Barcelona 2-1 on Saturday and overtake the Catalan giants at the top of the La Liga standings, Afrosport reports.
Norwegian forward Alexander Sorloth scored late to hand Atletico their first away win at Barcelona since the 2005-06 season, adding to Rodrigo de Paul’s equaliser after Pedri had given the hosts the lead.
FT: #BarçaAtleti 1-2
A last-gasp Sorloth goal gives the win and the first place in #LALIGAEASPORTS to @atletienglish ! 🔝 pic.twitter.com/WlBXNtXen5
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 21, 2024
Spanish midfielder Pedri put Barcelona in front inside the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys as the 22-year-old finished off a move he started in the 30th minute for his fourth league goal of the season. The hosts almost doubled their lead three minutes into the second half, but Fermin Lopez’s effort was thwarted away by the legs of Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Barcelona, who were with Lamine Yamal due to injury, came close to getting a second, but Raphinha’s audacious chip, which was heading for goal, clipped the woodwork in the 59th minute.
The visitors, however, levelled proceedings from nowhere with De Paul finding the bottom corner from over 20 yards out to silence the home crowd.
Barcelona failed to retake the lead as Robert Lewandowski was unable to connect to Ferran Torres’ cross from about four yards away from goal. They squandered another big chance in the 86th minute when Oblak denied an unmarked Raphinha.
They, however, were made to rue their missed chances as substitute Sorloth grabbed the winner for Atletico in the 96th minute with a first-time volley.
Diego Simeone’s side claimed their 12th consecutive win in all competitions to leapfrog the hosts into the top spot in La Liga with 41 points, while Barcelona lost their third straight home game for just the third time ever.
The new #LALIGAEASPORTS LEADER. ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/b7YJebaIST
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 21, 2024
At the El Sadar Stadium, Athletic Bilbao claimed a 2-1 comeback away win over Osasuna to remain unbeaten in their last 10 La Liga matches.
Goals from Gorka Guruzeta and Alejandro Berenguer cancelled out Lucas Torro’s opener for the hosts as Bilbao consolidated their fourth position.
FT: #OsasunaAthletic 1-2
A massive win for the lions in Pamplona ! ✅🦁#LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/5GHqMRbxed
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) December 21, 2024
Elsewhere, Pablo Duran scored twice in the first half to hand Celta Vigo a 2-0 win against Real Sociedad at the Balaidos, while Mallorca moved into fifth in La Liga with a 1-0 win at Getafe following a second-half penalty from Cyle Larin.
