Fermín López scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday night and stay top of La Liga. Giuliano Simeone put Diego Simeone's side ahead in the 10th minute, but Fermín equalised on the stroke of half-time and struck the winner from Lamine Yamal's pass in the 66th minute.
Hansi Flick's side go into the international break three points clear of Real Madrid and five ahead of third-placed Atlético, according to LaLiga's official standings at the time of writing.
Match facts
- Result: Atlético Madrid 1-2 Barcelona (half-time 1-1)
- Competition: LaLiga EA Sports, Matchday 12
- Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
- Scorers: Atlético Madrid - Giuliano Simeone 10'; Barcelona - Fermín López 45', 66'
- Assists: Julián Álvarez (10'), Lamine Yamal (66')
- Red cards: None
- Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas
- Attendance: 69,788
- Next: Barcelona v Villarreal and Getafe v Atlético Madrid, Sunday 22 November
How the match unfolded
The game started at a furious pace. Julián Álvarez ran clean through on Joan García in the opening minutes but could not finish, and from the resulting corner Marc Pubill headed against the crossbar. Within a minute Pedri hit the bar at the other end after a pass from Lamine Yamal.
Atlético went ahead in the 10th minute with a quick counter-attack. Kang-in Lee released Álvarez, and the Argentine's cross was turned in first time from close range by Giuliano Simeone.
Atlético kept pressing, and García saved from Lee in the 24th minute and from Álvarez two minutes later.
Barcelona were level just before the break. Fermín's route into the area was blocked, but the ball ran loose and he drove a left-footed shot past Jan Oblak in the 45th minute.
Flick sent on Frenkie de Jong for Brian Fariñas at half-time and Barcelona had more of the ball, although Álvarez went close in the 55th minute with a shot just over the bar.
The winner came in the 66th minute. Lamine Yamal threaded a pass through the Atlético defence, and Fermín ran on to it and beat Oblak. It was his seventh league goal of the season.
Diego Simeone sent on Alexander Sørloth, Morten Hjulmand, Johnny Cardoso and Jonathan David, but Atlético created little after that. Lamine Yamal almost added a third from Anthony Gordon's cross late on, and Barcelona saw out four minutes of stoppage time.
What the result means
Barcelona have 33 points from 12 games. Real Madrid are second on 30 after winning 3-0 at Valencia on Saturday, and Atlético are third on 28.
Barcelona have now won both league games since their home Clásico defeat by Real Madrid, following the 6-1 win over Alavés with this one. Atlético lost ground in a game that would have taken them top had they won.
What happens next?
After the international break, Barcelona host Villarreal and Atlético visit Getafe on Sunday 22 November. The two sides meet again at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday 2 December. More from the round is in our La Liga section.
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