Messi nets late winner against Atleti to take Barca top of LaLiga

Lionel Messi scored a dramatic late winner as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to return to the summit of LaLiga on Sunday.

Real Madrid had temporarily claimed top spot on Saturday after a 2-1 win at Deportivo Alaves but Barca's victory put it ahead on goal difference.

Atletico had enjoyed the best of the chances in an engrossing contest but remains winless in 19 LaLiga games against the Catalans.

Ernesto Valverdes's side was indebted to goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for two breath-taking saves in the first half.

Diego Simeone's Atletico went close to opening the scoring in a lively first half when Mario Hermoso struck a low angled shot against the post.

Atletico was then twice denied by the inspirational Ter Stegen. The German first blocked an instinctive Hermoso effort from close range, then managed to somehow keep Alvaro Morata's powerful header out.

Barca rarely threatened before the half-time, although Gerard Pique's had nodded against the crossbar.

The visitor improved slightly after the break, although Luis Suarez and Messi struggled to find a way past a disciplined and organised Atletico defence.

Pique was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card for a callous sliding foul on Morata with 20 minutes left and the game appeared set to end in a goalless draw.

However, with four minutes left on the clock Messi delivered after a lightning quick move on the edge of the Atletico penalty area.

The Argentina forward received the ball from Suarez and emphatically curled a low shot past Jan Oblak to seal the win.

 

Source: Agencies

 

Dhaka/AI