|
|
Played
February 27, 2012 2:00 AM IST
Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid
Referee: Miguel Pérez Lasa
Attendance: 40000
February 27, 2012 2:00 AM IST
Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid
Referee: Miguel Pérez Lasa
Attendance: 40000
Top of the Match
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Flop of the Match
Thibaut Courtois
Atletico de Madrid
Atletico de Madrid
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona: Moment of magic from Messi clinches hard-earned win and closes gap to Real Madrid back to 10 points
The Argentine's stunning free-kick gave Pep Guardiola's men all three points against a well-drilled Atleti team to once again close the gap on their bitter rivals
By Luke Matthews, Goal.com
Getty
Lionel Messi's late wonder goal earned Barcelona a 2-1 victory against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon as the Catalan giants put their away woes behind them to close the gap at the top of La Liga to 10 points.
Dani Alves scored the opening goal of the game in the 36th minute as the visitors looked good value for their lead at half-time, yet Radamel Falcao grabbed a leveller four minutes after the restart.
Messi came to the rescue in the 81st minute with a stunning free-kick to give Barca all three points against their unfortunate opponents, who competed well throughout.
Barcelona looked lively in the opening stages and thought they had opened the scoring in the eighth minute, only for the effort to be disallowed.
Lionel Messi controlled Alexis Sanchez' pass before bypassing two Atletico defenders and pushing the ball past Thibaut Courtois. However, the Argentine was ruled to have used his hand to control the ball in the build-up, earning himself a yellow card in the process - his fifth this season, meaning he will miss the side's game against Sporting next weekend.
The reigning Liga champions came close again on 20 minutes through a well-taken set-piece. Xavi stepped up to curl a free-kick 25 yards from goal, but the Atleti goalkeeper was on hand to make a strong acrobatic save to deny the away team the opener.
Both teams were difficult to separate in the first period, yet the visitors did take the lead in the 36th minute after a smart team move. Dani Alves linked up well with Messi before the attacker slid the ball to Cesc Fabregas to fire across the six-yard line, with Alves waiting to score his second league goal of the campaign.
However, two minutes after taking the lead, Guardiola's men had Victor Valdes to thank for preserving their narrow advantage. After some sloppy defensive play from the visitors, Arda Turan broke into the box before slamming across goal, with Falcao lurking, yet Valdes was sharp enough to intercept.
Atletico made a superb start to the second period and grabbed an equaliser in the 49th minute. Gabi's corner was unintentionally flicked towards the back post by Sergio Busquets and an unmarked Falcao was waiting to volley home from six yards, his 20th goal this term in all competitions.
Barcelona were then fortunate to be given the benefit of the doubt from the assistant referee on two questionable offside calls, and despite not looking anywhere near their best in the second half, the away side did come within inches of retaking the lead on 67 minutes. Alves' inviting cross was narrowly missed by Messi at the front post yet Alexis Sanchez was on cue to head the ball over the bar from close range.
Just when it appeared Barcelona would have to settle for a point, Messi stepped up with a true moment of magic. The Argentine's free-kick fooled everyone as it curled into the far corner from 25 yards out with Courtois left rooted to his spot - the attacker's 28th Liga goal of the season and arguably his most important.
Valdes had to look sharp near the end to preserve his side's advantage, blocking from Juanfran and Adrian, and in the end Barca were relieved to hear the final whistle and collect the victory.
Next up for Barcelona is a home encounter against Sporting next weekend, while Atletico face a trip to Sevilla, hoping to return to winning ways.
Dani Alves scored the opening goal of the game in the 36th minute as the visitors looked good value for their lead at half-time, yet Radamel Falcao grabbed a leveller four minutes after the restart.
Messi came to the rescue in the 81st minute with a stunning free-kick to give Barca all three points against their unfortunate opponents, who competed well throughout.
Barcelona looked lively in the opening stages and thought they had opened the scoring in the eighth minute, only for the effort to be disallowed.
Lionel Messi controlled Alexis Sanchez' pass before bypassing two Atletico defenders and pushing the ball past Thibaut Courtois. However, the Argentine was ruled to have used his hand to control the ball in the build-up, earning himself a yellow card in the process - his fifth this season, meaning he will miss the side's game against Sporting next weekend.
The reigning Liga champions came close again on 20 minutes through a well-taken set-piece. Xavi stepped up to curl a free-kick 25 yards from goal, but the Atleti goalkeeper was on hand to make a strong acrobatic save to deny the away team the opener.
Both teams were difficult to separate in the first period, yet the visitors did take the lead in the 36th minute after a smart team move. Dani Alves linked up well with Messi before the attacker slid the ball to Cesc Fabregas to fire across the six-yard line, with Alves waiting to score his second league goal of the campaign.
However, two minutes after taking the lead, Guardiola's men had Victor Valdes to thank for preserving their narrow advantage. After some sloppy defensive play from the visitors, Arda Turan broke into the box before slamming across goal, with Falcao lurking, yet Valdes was sharp enough to intercept.
Atletico made a superb start to the second period and grabbed an equaliser in the 49th minute. Gabi's corner was unintentionally flicked towards the back post by Sergio Busquets and an unmarked Falcao was waiting to volley home from six yards, his 20th goal this term in all competitions.
Barcelona were then fortunate to be given the benefit of the doubt from the assistant referee on two questionable offside calls, and despite not looking anywhere near their best in the second half, the away side did come within inches of retaking the lead on 67 minutes. Alves' inviting cross was narrowly missed by Messi at the front post yet Alexis Sanchez was on cue to head the ball over the bar from close range.
Just when it appeared Barcelona would have to settle for a point, Messi stepped up with a true moment of magic. The Argentine's free-kick fooled everyone as it curled into the far corner from 25 yards out with Courtois left rooted to his spot - the attacker's 28th Liga goal of the season and arguably his most important.
Valdes had to look sharp near the end to preserve his side's advantage, blocking from Juanfran and Adrian, and in the end Barca were relieved to hear the final whistle and collect the victory.
Next up for Barcelona is a home encounter against Sporting next weekend, while Atletico face a trip to Sevilla, hoping to return to winning ways.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In IST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |