Barcelona fought back from two goals behind to record a stunning 4-2 victory over title rivals Atletico Madrid in Sunday night's La Liga contest at Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico looked to be on course for a huge victory in Spain's top flight when Alexander Sorloth added to Julian Alvarez's opener to send Diego Simeone's side two goals ahead in the Spanish capital with 20 minutes of normal time left to play.
However, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres both registered in quick succession to make it 2-2, before Lamine Yamal's deflected effort in second-half stoppage time sent Hansi Flick's side into a 3-2 lead.
Torres then netted his second in the final exchanges to cap an incredible comeback from the visitors.
The victory has moved Barcelona back to the top of the La Liga table, ahead of second-placed Real Madrid on the head-to-head record, also with a game in hand over Los Blancos, while Atletico remain third, now four points off the summit.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
What a game - what an advert for La Liga football.
Atletico have had a tough week, with the team knocked out by Real Madrid on penalties in the Champions League round of 16, before suffering late heartbreak against Barcelona at Wanda Metropolitano.
At 2-0 ahead with 20 minutes left, Atletico should have closed this game out, but there were gaps everywhere, and the response from Barcelona was incredible, with the Catalan giants just such a force in the final third of the field.
Barcelona have had their issues in recent years, but it would not be a shock to see them win a treble this season considering the strength of their side, as not too many teams will be able to stop them scoring - that is now 75 goals in La Liga this season and four against an Atletico side that are so defensively strong.
Diego Simeone's side have had a fine campaign, but they are now four points off the top of the table, putting huge pressure on them to make the Copa del Rey final, with their Champions League hopes also over.
Real Madrid are not at their best and have not been for much of the campaign, but Los Blancos are there, and it is set to be a fascinating battle for La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey silverware in the closing months of the season.
ATLETICO MADRID VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
Julian Alvarez goal vs. Barcelona (45th min, Atletico 1-0 Barcelona)
🤟 JULIAN ALVAREZ! 🤟
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 16, 2025
It's a HUGE goal at the top of #LaLiga#AtletiBarca | #ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/t1RtZJkkny
Atletico make the breakthrough in the latter stages of the first period, with Alvarez turning into the back of the net from close range following excellent work from Giuliano Simeone, who impressively picked out his teammate.
Alexander Sorloth goal vs. Barcelona (70th min, Atletico 2-0 Barcelona)
Conor Gallagher ➡️ Alexander Sorloth
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 16, 2025
The super sub strikes again! #AtletiBarca | @LaLigaEN pic.twitter.com/o5hJHaPNxP
Atletico double their advantage in the 70th minute of the clash, as Sorloth turns a cross from Conor Gallagher into the back of the net - what a huge moment in the match. Will there will be a response from Barcelona?
Robert Lewandowski goal vs. Atletico (72nd min, Atletico 2-1 Barcelona)
An instant response! 😤
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 16, 2025
Robert Lewandowski immediately pulls one back for Barcelona#AtletiBarca | @LaLigaEN pic.twitter.com/qCpjC79A1E
Lewandowski answers back in the 72nd minute, with the experienced striker managing to find the bottom corner after a strong run forward from Inigo Martinez; Barcelona have given themselves a route back into the match.
Ferran Torres goal vs. Atletico (78th min, Atletico 2-2 Barcelona)
Ferran Torres with the glancing header ⚽
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 16, 2025
A deadly ball across from Raphinha as Barcelona level it from 2 down! #AtletiBarca | @LaLigaEN pic.twitter.com/cp450K6n28
Barcelona level the scores in the 78th minute, as Torres heads a cross from Raphinha into the back of the net; Atletico were comfortable in this match, but their lead has evaporated, and there is more than enough time for a winner.
Lamine Yamal goal vs. Atletico (92nd min, Atletico 2-3 Barcelona)
Comeback complete! ✅
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 16, 2025
Lamine Yamal's deflected effort puts Barcelona in front after being 2-0 down#AtletiBarca | @LaLigaEN pic.twitter.com/ug2WNvtu62
Oh my word; Barcelona have won this at the death.
The Catalan giants score a third and complete the turnaround, as Yamal's strike deflects off Reinildo before ending up in the back of the net; Oblak had absolutely no chance there, and the visitors are leading 3-2.
Ferran Torres goal vs. Atletico (98th min, Atletico 2-4 Barcelona)
Barcelona have a fourth! 🤩
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 16, 2025
Ferran Torres scores his second of the night as Barcelona go 🔝 of #LaLiga #AtletiBarca | @LaLigaEN pic.twitter.com/vbtni9jLt6
Barcelona score their fourth in the eighth minute of added time at the end of the 90, and it is a wonderful finish from Torres, who smashes one into the bottom corner in the final act of the match.
MAN OF THE MATCH - LAMINE YAMAL
© Imago
Torres came off the bench to score twice on Sunday night, while Raphinha provided two assists, but Yamal was the star of the show, with the 17-year-old again putting in a remarkable performance for the Catalan giants.
It was the Spain international's deflected effort that sent Barcelona 3-2 ahead in stoppage time, while he completed six dribbles and made three tackles during a stunning display, with Atletico undone by his quality in the second period.
ATLETICO MADRID VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Atletico Madrid 34%-66% Barcelona
Shots: Atletico Madrid 7-13 Barcelona
Shots on target: Atletico Madrid 2-6 Barcelona
Corners: Atletico Madrid 6-6 Barcelona
Fouls: Atletico Madrid 10-11 Barcelona
BEST STATS
8 - @atletienglish´s @9julianalvarez 🇦🇷 has scored the first goal of the game eight times in @LaLiga 2024/25 and only Robert Lewandowski (nine) has opened the scoring more times this season in the competition. Scratch. pic.twitter.com/iSFPd77GPo
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 16, 2025
520 - @AntoGriezmann 🇫🇷 make his 520th @LaLiga game today, becoming the foreign player with the most appearances in the history of the competition after equaling Lionel #Messi. Principito. pic.twitter.com/eNnR56qtLO
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 16, 2025
8 - No other player in the Top 5 European Leagues has scored more goals coming off the bench this season than @atletienglish Alexander Sørloth 🇳🇴 (eight). Replacement. pic.twitter.com/Y3zALZfwIF
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 16, 2025
35 - @lewy_official 🇵🇱 has scored 35 goals in 40 games this season across all competitions, his best tally in a single campaign with @FCBarelona and the first player he's reached this number since Leo Messi in 2020/21 (38 goals in 47 games). Canyon. pic.twitter.com/enKixsrbRG
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 16, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona will be back in La Liga action against Catalan rivals Girona on March 30, before the small matter of the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Atletico at Wanda Metropolitano on April 2.
Atletico, meanwhile, will continue their La Liga campaign with a trip to Espanyol on March 29, when the Red and Whites will be bidding to win in Spain's top flight for the first time since the start of March.
Matt Law
