Robert Lewandowski grabbed a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid made a mistake.
Second-placed Real were earlier beaten 1-2 in Mallorca, and Barca took advantage at the Metropolitano Stadium to take a big step towards defending the league title.
Marcus Rashford leveled Barcelona after Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring for the home side in the first half.
Atletico midfielder Nico Gonzalez was sent off just before half-time and his team dug deep with ten men in an attempt to avoid defeat, and almost succeeded.
Experienced Polish striker Lewandowski had other ideas and used his shoulder to deflect a rebound from close range after 87 minutes.
With little left to play in La Liga, Atletico coach Diego Simeone shifted heavily with Wednesday’s visit to Camp Nou in mind.
His Barca counterpart, Hansi Flick, opted for Dani Olmo as a false nine to rest Lewandowski, while starting Rashford in place of the injured Raphinha on the left wing.
The England international, on loan from Manchester United, tested Juan Musso early on with a free-kick that the goalkeeper handled comfortably.
On the other hand, Antoine Griezmann, playing for Atletico for the first time since announcing his move to MLS side Orlando City at the end of the season, was loose.
The forward leaped into the penalty area and cleverly nutmegged Gerard Martin, but his shot was too close to Barca stopper Joan Garcia to trouble the new Spain international.
Fermin Lopez was also wasteful at the other end. He couldn’t find Rashford, who had a clear view of goal, and went wide himself when Lamine Yamal sent him through with a sensational pass.
Barca’s 18-year-old star Yamal hit the post with a small shot after Lopez laid the ball to him as the game progressed from one moment to the next.
Atletico took the lead in the 39th minute through Giuliano Simeone, the coach’s son, who burst in behind Barca’s high defensive line on Clement Lenglet’s pass and rammed past Garcia.
Just three minutes later the visiting team leveled. Rashford exchanged passes with Olmo and pushed past Musso on only his third league start since January.
Atletico were reduced to ten men just before half-time when Gonzalez brought down Yamal on the edge of the penalty area as he raced towards goal.
Barcelona defender Martin was sent off early in the second half when he punched the ball away before rattling Thiago Almada with a high foot. However, following a VAR review, the red card was withdrawn, much to Atletico’s anger.
Barca substitute Ferran Torres, goalless since January, was twice thwarted by Musso as the visitor looked for a winner but struggled to make his numerical advantage count.
Ultimately, the winning goal came when Joao Cancelo made his way into the penalty area and his cross was pushed away by Musso, before crafty striker Lewandowski shouldered the ball home.
Published on April 5, 2026
