Barcelona defeated Atlético 2-1 to move seven points behind Real Madrid at the top of Spanish La Liga.
Published April 4, 2026
Robert Lewandowski scored a dramatic late goal for Barcelona, who beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 after Real Madrid fell behind, moving them seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Barça took a big step towards defending their league title with a strong performance at the Metropolitano Stadium, as second-placed Real lost 2-1 to Mallorca in the early hours of Saturday.
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Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring in the first half before Marcus Rashford equalized for Barça.
Atlético midfielder Nico Gonzalez was sent off just before the break and the team fielded 10 men to try to avoid defeat, but almost managed to secure a win.
Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski had another idea and deflected the rebound home from close range after 87 minutes with his shoulder.
With few games left to play in La Liga, Atlético manager Diego Simeone has made significant rotations with Wednesday’s visit to Camp Nou in mind.
Barça manager Hansi Flick selected Dani Olmo as a false nine to rest Lewandowski, and Rashford started on the left in place of the injured Rafinha.
The England international, who is on loan from Manchester United, tested Juan Musso’s free-kick early on, and the goalkeeper comfortably converted it.
Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann, playing for Atlético for the first time since announcing his departure to MLS side Orlando City at the end of the season, has been debauched.
The forward darted into the box and deftly toyed with Gerard Martin, but his shot was too close to Barça stopper Joao Garcia to trouble the new Spain international.
At the other end, Fermín López was similarly lean, unable to find Rashford, who had a clear eye on goal, and left wide open as Lamine Yamal slipped out with a sensational pass.
Barça’s 18-year-old star Yamal hit the post after López gave him the ball, with the game flowing end-to-end.
Atlético took the lead in the 39th minute when Giuliano Simeone, the coach’s son, darted behind Barça’s high defensive line and ran into Clement Lenglet’s pass, past García.
The visitors equalized just three minutes later, with Rashford exchanging passes with Olmo and moving past Musso for his third league start since January.
Atlético were reduced to 10 men just before half-time, when Gonzalez slashed Yamal on the edge of the box as he ran towards goal.
Barcelona defender Martin was sent off early in the second half for flicking the ball away, but then kicked Thiago Almada high into the leg. However, the red card was rescinded after a VAR review, leaving Atletico furious.
Barça substitute Ferran Torres, who hasn’t scored since January, struggled to make the most of their numerical advantage, although he was twice thwarted by Musso as the visitors looked for a winner.
In the end, Joao Cancelo entered the penalty area and Musso pushed his cross-shot away, but the clever striker Lewandowski deflected it away with his shoulder to score the winning goal.
