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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Jan 11, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

3-1

Neymar (12'), Suarez (35'), Messi (87')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Mandzukic (57' pen.)

Barcelona storm past Atletico Madrid

Barcelona close the gap on Real Madrid as goals from Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi condemn Atletico Madrid to a 3-1 defeat at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona have closed the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to one point by beating Atletico Madrid 3-1 at the Camp Nou.

The hosts dominated from the first whistle, and they were ahead in just the 12th minute when Neymar slotted home from close range after Luis Suarez had failed to convert Lionel Messi's cross.

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January 11, 2015© Getty Images

Miguel Angel Moya was forced into a good save to keep out a powerful strike from Jordi Alba, but he could only watch on in hope when Neymar headed a great chance wide from Suarez's cross midway through the first half.

Messi took centre stage again to create Barcelona's second goal 10 minutes before the break as the Argentine took the ball into the box to find Suarez, who calmly finished to double his side's lead.

Despite offering very little to suggest that a comeback was a possibility, Atletico were given hope 12 minutes into the second half when Jesus Gamez won a penalty by going down after feeling a touch from Messi in the box.

Barcelona's players furiously protested the decision, but the referee ignored their claims as Mario Mandzukic drilled home the penalty.

The hosts looked less comfortable in possession with a slender lead, despite being given very little to be worried about by Atletico, who struggled to keep the pressure on after reducing the deficit.

Barcelona's coach Luis Enrique celebrates after a goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January 11, 2015© Getty Images

A breakaway led by Mandzukic almost created the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining, but Claudio Bravo sprinted off his line to collect before substitute Fernando Torres could add the finishing touch.

Luis Enrique's side secured the victory in the 87th minute when Messi picked out the bottom corner at the second time of asking after missing Ivan Rakitic's cross at the first attempt.

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Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos vies with Atletico Madrid's forward Fernando Torres during the Spanish Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on January 7,
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona37246778463278
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
RCadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3749243872-3421
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


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