Lionel Messi scored in the 86th minute to lead Barcelona to a 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Rafinha and Diego Godin also scored in the clash at the Vicente Calderón.
Barcelona left it late but secured a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday, with Lionel Messi again decisive at the death.
Diego Godin had seemingly salvaged Atletico a draw 20 minutes from the end, but Messi broke the hosts’ hearts with a late goal to make Diego Simeone’s men rue their missed opportunities and put Barca top of the table ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Villarreal.
Things should have been far better for Atletico, though, as they looked as fluid as they have all season during the first half and carved out a series of strong chances, with Yannick Carrasco, Godin and Antoine Griezmann all going close.
But the home side failed to make the most of their openings and Barca grew into proceedings, threatening Atletico with a few fine chances of their own towards the end of the half.
Atletico’s ineffectiveness in front of goal was capitalised on when Rafinha opened the scoring just after the hour mark, though Godin headed the home side back on level terms.
