Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid moved nine points clear of Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday after beating them 1-0 to deliver a major boost to their hopes of winning the title.

Yannick Carrasco finished brilliantly from range after mistakes from Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen left the goal gaping but Barca, and a below-par Lionel Messi, failed to respond at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Instead, Atletico recorded their first league victory over Barcelona in 10 years, which puts them three points ahead of Real Madrid, with a game in hand, and leaves their opponents languishing in 10th.