Barcelona beat 10-man Atletico to go seven points clear in La Liga

Madrid: Barcelona secured a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid with a late goal from Robert Lewandowski, moving seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid were beaten earlier in the day.

Second-placed Real Madrid lost 2-1 at Mallorca on Saturday, and Barcelona took advantage at the Metropolitano stadium to strengthen their position in the title race. The Catalan side are aiming to defend the league crown.

Atletico Madrid went in front in the 39th minute when Giuliano Simeone, son of coach Diego Simeone, ran in behind Barcelona’s high line onto a pass from Clement Lenglet and finished past Joan Garcia.

Barcelona responded quickly. Just three minutes later, Marcus Rashford combined with Dani Olmo before firing beyond Juan Musso to make it 1-1. It was only Rashford’s third league start since January. The England international, who is on loan from Manchester United, had also tested Musso earlier with a free-kick that the goalkeeper dealt with comfortably.

Atletico were reduced to 10 men shortly before the interval when midfielder Nico Gonzalez brought down Lamine Yamal on the edge of the area as the Barcelona teenager ran toward goal.

With little left to play for in La Liga, Diego Simeone made several changes with Wednesday’s trip to Camp Nou in mind. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick also rotated his side, using Olmo as a false nine to rest Lewandowski and starting Rashford on the left in place of the injured Raphinha.

Both teams created chances in an open contest. Antoine Griezmann, playing for Atletico for the first time since announcing he would leave at the end of the season for MLS side Orlando City, worked his way into the box and nutmegged Gerard Martin, but his effort was too close to Garcia. At the other end, Fermin Lopez failed to pick out Rashford when the forward was well placed and later shot wide after being sent through by a pass from Yamal. The 18-year-old Yamal also struck the post with a dinked attempt after Lopez set him up.

Barcelona thought they had been reduced to 10 men early in the second half when defender Gerard Martin was shown a red card after kicking the ball away and then catching Thiago Almada with a high foot.

However, the decision was overturned after a VAR review, prompting anger from Atletico. Barcelona substitute Ferran Torres was then denied twice by Musso as the visitors pushed for a winner but initially struggled to make their extra man count.

The decisive moment came in the 87th minute. Joao Cancelo drove into the penalty area and his cross-shot was parried by Musso, with Lewandowski reacting from close range to turn the rebound in with his shoulder.

The late finish gave Barcelona all three points and a significant advantage at the top of the table after Real Madrid’s setback earlier on Saturday.