Lionel Messi came off the bench to hit a 78th-minute winner as Barcelona preserved their 100% start to the Primera Liga campaign with a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid.

On 51 minutes, Fernando Torres opened the scoring for the hosts - who also had maximum points after two games - but Neymar struck an immediate riposte with a fine free kick.

However, Messi, who replaced Ivan Rakitic on the hour mark, netted his first of the season in the final quarter as the Liga champions completed the comeback.

Here, Sports Mole examines who excelled in the Spanish capital.

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring to put Barcelona 2-1 up over Atletico Madrid on September 12, 2015 © AFP

ATLETICO MADRID

Goal

Jan Oblak: Pulled off a smart save to keep out Rakitic in the first half but had precious little to do, and was blameless for both goals. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Perhaps gave Neymar a little too much space in the first half and, despite improving after the break, the Brazilian still found ways to thwart the veteran defender. (5/10)

Diego Godin: Good game overall but the Uruguayan was hugely fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty, and stay on the field, after handling Neymar's effort on the line. (5/10)

Jose Giminez: Expertly dealt with the threat of Suarez throughout, but could have tighter to the Uruguayan when he set up Messi for the winner. (6/10)

Filipe Luis: Fortunate to stay on the field after going flying into a challenge on Rafinha, having already been booked. One to forget. (5/10)

Midfield

Tiago: Steady if unspectacular, the veteran midfielder still produced an exquisite pass to set up Torres for the opening goal on 51 minutes. (6/10)

Koke: Seemed relatively anonymous in both halves as he struggled to exert an influence. (5/10)

Oliver: Burst to life within seconds of the restart by running at Barcelona and dragging his shot wide, but moments like that were far and far between for the youngster. (5/10)

Gabi: Fortunate to stay on the field after the referee failed to spot his subtle elbow on Suarez. Okay other than that. (6/10)

Attack

Antoine Griezmann: Played a supporting role behind Torres tonight and had a big hand in the opener when his first-time flick fell to Tiago, who unleashed the former Chelsea striker en route to the goal. (6/10)

Fernando Torres: Perhaps harshly subbed on the hour mark after opening the scoring with a tidy finish. Still not as sharp as he once was, but it looked a hugely improved Torres tonight. (7/10)

Substitutes

Jackson Martinez: Replaced Torres with half-an-hour to go but struggled to have the same impact as his predecessor. (4/10)

BARCELONA

Goal

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Had very little to do and could not do much about Torres's strike. (6/10)

Defence

Sergi Roberto: Was forced to play at right-back again due to Dani Alves's absence but he did not look out of place one bit. (7/10)

Javier Mascherano: Took some unnecessary risks and was very nearly punished. Also very fortunate not to concede a penalty moments before the opening goal. (5/10)

Thomas Vermaelen: Hobbled off the field midway through the first half, having looked solid as a rock in Barcelona's defence and pressured Torres well with an earlier chance. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: Did not venture forward as much as usual, but questions will be asked over why Torres was allowed so much space for the goal. (5/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Solid enough for the big midfielder, who linked defence and attack well as usual, as well as shielding the four players behind him. (6/10)

Andres Iniesta: Showed some sublime touches throughout, as per usual, but the diminutive was more miss than hit tonight overall. (5/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Should have opened the scoring after fluffing a good chance in the first 15 minutes, but his effort was parried by Oblak. Subbed on the hour mark for Messi. (5/10)

Attack

Luis Suarez: Spurned arguably the chance of the game by missing a first-half open goal, but atoned with a superb, instinctive assist for Messi's winner. (6/10)

Rafinha: Struggled with the impossible task of deputising for Messi as both halves appeared to pass him by somewhat. (5/10)

Neymar: The Brazilian floated home a wonderful free kick to peg back Atletico straight away, having looked like Barcelona's best player in Messi's absence. (8/10)

Substitutes

Jeremy Mathieu: Replaced Vermaelen in the first half and deputised well for his Belgian counterpart. (6/10)

Lionel Messi: Ran the show when he came on with some half-an-hour to play and scored a fine winner as the second-time dad capped a lovely week on a personal level. (8/10)