La Liga 2025-26: Toppers Barcelona fight back to beat Atletico 3-1

Barcelona bounced back to record a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday after goals from Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres handed Diego Simeone’s men their first La Liga defeat since August.

The result puts Barça on 37 points, four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who visit Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Atletico, who arrived at Camp Nou after seven games in all competitions, remain in fourth place with 31 points.

Atletico struck first in the 19th minute through Alex Baena on the counter, but Raphinha equalized seven minutes later with a shot from close range after a killer pass from Pedri.

Barca’s persistence paid off when Dani Olmo pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and fired a low strike to score in the 65th minute, and Torres rounded off the points by finishing another counter-attack deep into extra time.

«It’s important to believe in the work. We know there are matches like this, and we have to be prepared for them. That’s the spirit we need,» Raphinha said. MovistarPlus.

READ ALSO: Haaland makes history as Man City fails to attack Fulham in wild 5-4 win

«We are gaining confidence match after match. Today was indeed crucial. Points like these can decide a national title.»

The match was the first major match to be held at the partially renovated Camp Nou since it reopened last month after two and a half years of redevelopment.

However, the reduced capacity of 45,401 seats – well below the expected 105,000 at completion – created a substandard atmosphere for such a high-stakes match.

It was Atletico that broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. Nahuel Molina took advantage of Barcelona’s high defensive line and launched a precise long pass that sent Baena racing past Gerard Martin, and he showed composure to slot the ball past goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

TRADEMARK BY BALL

Barcelona responded in the 26th minute with a goal from returning midfielder Pedri. On his first start in over a month, the 23-year-old Spaniard split Atletico’s defense with a trademark through ball to Raphinha.

The Brazilian unleashed the offside trap, rounded Jan Oblak and slotted home to level the score.

The hosts could have taken the lead in the 37th minute when Pablo Barrios fouled Olmo in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty.

However, Robert Lewandowski missed the opportunity and shot the penalty high over the bar.

The Polish striker had a second chance to redeem himself moments later, but his towering header was brilliantly denied by Oblak’s one-handed save from Lamine Yamal’s cross.

Tempers flared late in the first half when Barcelona’s Martin was shown a yellow card for a rash slide tackle on Giuliano Simeone during an Atletico counter-attack. The visitor was furious and demanded a red card, but referee Ricardo de Burgos felt the challenge only deserved yellow.

The second half initially lacked the intensity of the first, with both teams wasting good opportunities. Raphinha missed a clear chance for Barcelona, ​​while Giuliano Simeone failed to convert a counter-attack for Atletico.

It was Olmo who finally found the breakthrough in the 65th minute. After Lewandowski failed to control a ball played in by Pedri, the loose ball fell kindly to Olmo, who fired a clinical low strike into the bottom left corner. However, Olmo’s attempt came at a cost as he injured his shoulder while scoring and was substituted as he appeared to be in extreme pain.

Atletico had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 79th minute when substitute Thiago Almada shone with a solo run from the left, dribbling past two defenders and the keeper. But his composure failed him at the crucial moment and he sent his close-range effort wide of the target.

Barcelona wrapped up the victory deep into stoppage time. Alejandro Balde plundered down the left flank and delivered an accurate low cross into the penalty area. Torres, completely unmarked, calmly controlled the ball before firing past Oblak to make it 3-1 in the 95th minute.

Published on December 3, 2025