Barcelona edge past Atletico to edge closer to La Liga title

Barcelona took a step closer to the La Liga title as they edged past Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Camp Nou on Sunday evening.

The result means that the Blaugrana extend their lead to 11 points over reigning Champions Real Madrid; with eight games remaining, the Catalans are in pole position for the league title.

However, the visitors made a better start and could have led within the first minute.

After Sergio Busquets gave the ball away in midfield, Antoine Griezmann saw his curling effort crash against the crossbar as the hosts breathed a sigh of relief.

Quiet first half an hour

Neither side garnered any clear-cut opportunities in the first 30 minutes, but Xavi’s side saw the majority of the ball, with Atletico willing to sit back and absorb the pressure before hitting on the counter.

Barcelona did make the breakthrough right on the stroke of halftime when Ferran Torres curled his effort past Jan Oblak right on the edge of the box after a nice hold-up wing play from Raphinha.

An entertaining second half followed, with the hosts getting two glorious opportunities to extend their lead.

Raphinha and Lewandowski miss glorious chances

Raphinha failed to make a connection while open in front of goal in the 72nd minute, and then Robert Lewandowski missed a glorious one-on-one opportunity just four minutes later.

The Polish striker curled his effort wide of the goal with Oblak rushing out; however, had he passed to Raphinha on the right, the latter would have had an open goal to aim at.

Both sides made several changes in the last fifteen minutes, but neither could test the opposition goalkeeper as Barcelona grabbed another 1-0 win on the day.

The result means that it was Atletico’s first loss after winning four consecutive league games, and they remain third, five adrift of cross-city rivals Real Madrid.

Photo Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire