(Getty)
Barcelona host Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou today, with the top spot in La Liga on the line. Both teams are leading Spain’s top division with 48 points, but Barcelona have a game in hand and lead the goal differential by 14. Goals aren’t Madrid’s specialty, as they enter today’s match boasting the league’s top defense.
Madrid have allowed just eight goals in 23 league games this season, and plan on shutting down the trio of MSN today. Barcelona will be at full strength today, as Neymar has practiced through his foot injury and should be included in the starting lineup.
While Luis Enrique has emphasized that today is just one outcome, it’s a much bigger fixture for Madrid. Diego Simeone’s men were ousted from Copa del Rey earlier this week, and a poor performance today would send the team trending downward heading into Champions League play next month.
The key for today’s match will be whether Atleti can regularly threaten Barcelona’s final third. Madrid have really only gotten steady offense from Antoine Griezmann this season, and his performance will be huge today. If Barca is allowed to possess, the speed and technique are difficult for even Spain’s best defensive side to overcome.
Stay on this page throughout the match for live updates, and video highlights of every goal.
FINAL: 2-1 Barcelona
Final whistle at Camp Nou, as Barcelona extend their unbeaten streak to 26 games. It was a beautful start for Madrid, but slowly the game turned in Barcelona’s favor. Filipe Luis’ red card before halftime made it an uphill battle for Madrid, who fought until the end but could not get the second goal.
It’s a big win for the league table, as Barcelona now have a game in hand and are three points clear at the top.
64′
Madrid down to nine men! Godin is shown his second yellow, and now Madrid are down one goal and two men.
RED CARD: Diego Godín shown a second yellow and he’s sent off! Atletico Madrid are down to nine men!
Another awful challenge leads to a red card for Atleti, this time for Godin. No chance of coming back now for ATM. It’s in the bag for Barça
55′
Griezmann gets his chance, but he’s denied by Bravo! The Barca keeper dove to the wrong side of Griezmann’s volley, but his feet were able to knock the would-be equalizer away.
What a chance for Griezmann. The brilliant Carrasco crosses in, but Bravo makes an excellent save to deny what looked like a certain goal.
Griezmann maybe should have buried it nonetheless. But credit to Bravo for spreading himself very well. Big save!
44′ Red Card to Atletico
Filipe Luis with a senseless challenge on Messi, nearly driving his cleat into the Argentine’s knee. Madrid are already trailing, but now they face an uphill challenge as they lose a man literally seconds before halftime.
RED CARD. Filipe Luis with a HORROR TACKLE ON @TeamMessi. @Atleti down to 10. #LaLiga t.co/NgsatiMY6j
38′ GOAL
2-1 Barcelona
Goal Barcelona! Dani Alves plays a gorgeous ball to Suarez, who slots home the finish to put Barcelona ahead. Madrid have to feel the pressure now, as Barcelona’s possession is becoming overwhelming.
No striker uses his body better than Suarez.
That pass by Alves was dynamite. Suarez pulls Barca ahead 2-1. Thinking Griezmann is going to get an equalizer.
30′ GOAL
1-1
Messi equalizes! Barcelona are in control now, and they finally get on the board with a calm finish from Messi on a perfect feed from the resurgent Jordi Alba.
Fantastic work by Barcelona to get Messi the goal and tie things up at 1-1 vs Atlético Madrid. Intense game on BeIN right now.
10′ GOAL
1-0 Atletico Madrid
Madrid scores first! Koke opens the scoring for Atletico, on a ball that fell to his foot off a long cross from Saul.
Koke opens the scoring. Alba too weak, Mascherano and Alves nowhere to be seen.
2′
Madrid come out attacking early, and it takes a fantastic save from Claudio Bravo to keep it out of the goal. Griezmann set up Saul, whose attempt from outside the box was pushed away with one hand by a diving Bravo.
2: Great save from Bravo from Saúl’s effort from outside the box #FCBAtleti #FCBlive
Find out how to watch this game in Spanish at AhoraMismo.com:
