Barcelona staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Atletico Madrid 4-2, with stoppage-time goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres sealing a dramatic victory that propelled them to the top of La Liga.
Heading into the match, the Catalan giants knew that a win would see them overtake Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atletico had the opportunity to climb above Barca into second place with three points.
Atletico, eager to bounce back from their midweek Champions League heartbreak against Real Madrid, seemed in control when they took a two-goal lead.
Julian Alvarez, whose double-kick penalty mishap had proved costly in that European exit, broke the deadlock just before half-time by converting Giuliano Simeone’s delivery.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 70th minute as Alexander Sorloth found space in the box to finish from Conor Gallagher’s pass.
However, Barcelona refused to back down, responding almost immediately. Robert Lewandowski pulled one back with a superb strike in the 72nd minute, and moments later, Torres powered in a header from Raphinha’s pinpoint cross to bring the game level.
Sorloth had a golden opportunity to restore Atletico’s lead late on but misfired with the outside of his boot, narrowly missing the target in what appeared to be an offside position.
That miss proved costly, as Barcelona surged forward with renewed energy. In the second minute of stoppage time, Yamal’s curling effort, aided by a deflection, put them in front.
Torres then capped off the comeback with a low finish just before the final whistle.
The victory leaves Barcelona level on 60 points with Real Madrid, but crucially, they have a game in hand. Atletico remain third, now four points adrift of the top two.
