Barcelona 2 Atletico Madrid 0: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez strike late but it’s Diego Costa who costs Atleti
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi struck late on to help Barcelona overcome 10-man Atletico Madrid 2-0 at the Camp Nou to edge closer to retaining their Liga title.
The Uruguayan struck a stunning effort in off the post with five minutes to go before Messi sealed the points with a brilliant solo goal as Barca moved 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga with seven games remaining.
The Rojiblancos are renowned for their defensive style of play but after some early possession from the hosts, they had a decent chance to go ahead with Costa heading over from close range.
Barcelona were unfortunate not to take the lead two minutes later when Lionel Messi played an incredible pass into the feet of Jordi Alba, who beat Jan Oblak with a delicate lob but not the post, as it bounced off the woodwork and Atletico cleared.
Philippe Coutinho had a great chance to break the deadlock when he was played in by Messi but his low effort was palmed away by the magnificent Oblak.
Atletico were more than just holding their own; they were making Barca work for possession. But just before the half-hour mark, they found themselves down to 10 men.
Costa was left fuming after referee Jesus Gil Manzano failed to play advantage and after having more than a few words to say, the Spanish official pulled out the red card to give the Brazilian-born striker his marching orders.
The former Chelsea man refused to leave the pitch and had to be escorted off by former Spain team-mate Gerard Pique.
If anything, the incident appear to spur on Atletico as they settled into a compact defensive shape.
After being frustrated in the first half, Barcelona really cranked up the pressure after the break and only a string of fine saves from Oblak denied first Suarez and then Messi from opening the scoring.
But with five minutes to go, Suarez found half a yard of space on the edge of the area and curled into the far corner off the post. In truth, that was the only way Barca were going to beat Oblak - and they finally had.
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Atletico's resistance was finally broken and so was their spirit when Messi danced around four defenders before slotting nonchalantly into the opposite corner. It was a fine goal that we've come to expect to demonstrate exactly why Barcelona are likely to become champions once again.
Line-ups, match highlights and reaction
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Messi, Suarez, Coutinho
Atletico XI: Oblak; Arias, Giminez, Godin, Filipe Luis; Koke, Thomas, Rodrigo, Saul; Diego Costa, Griezmann
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19 mins: Just when Atleti look like they're starting to build an attack, Barca break incisively on the counter.
Suarez tries to pick out Messi but finds Godin in the way. The ball flicks up kindly for the striker and he decides to volley it, but it sails over the bar.
Ben Hayward: "The Lionel Messi-Jordi Alba connection is so good and has replaced the old Messi-Alves combo since the Brazilian’s Barca departure in 2016. That pass from the Argentine to the left-back cut Atletico apart and it is impossible to defend. The pair have perfected that move and it was unlucky not to bring an opening goal here."
16 mins: Brilliant move from Atletico as Griezmann feeds in Koke. He slips it out right to Arias who is unmarked but by the time he pulls the trigger, Coutinho gets back to make a timely block.
14 mins: POST! Alba so close!
What a pass from Lionel Messi.
We shouldn't be surprised but this guy is just another level. He spots the run of the pacey wing-back and executes the through ball to perfection. Alba's first touch was golden, but when he tried to lift it over Oblak, it bounces back off the post and Atleti clear!
Photo: Reuters
12 mins: Coutinho finds Suarez with a delightful chip over Godin but the Uruguayan's touch is heavy and it's out for a goal kick.
Ben Hayward: "Whistles for Diego Costa from the Camp Nou crowd after he went flying in to challenge Clement Lenglet with his elbow out and struck the French defender on the chin. It might not have been intentional from the Brazil-born forward, but it was dangerous and Lenglet could have been badly hurt. Barca’s players and their fans called for the referee to act, but the striker was not even shown a yellow card."
9 mins: Atletico show their intent to attack for the first time tonight and it's a decent delivery from the left by Filipe Luis, which is headed over by Costa.
Just a bit too high for him there.
8 mins: Diego Costa is well trained in the dark arts as we know and the Spain striker makes his presence known during a tussle with Lenglet. No card shown on this occasion, but the Barca defender might be looking for revenge after that.
5 mins: Barcelona are controlling possession early on while Atletico look quite happy to sit deep and defend.
What's Spanish for "status quo"?
Ben Hayward: "Lionel Messi received his trophy for La Liga’s best player in March before kick-off from former Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert and chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi” rang around the Camp Nou. Moments earlier, the Barca fans sang the club’s anthem a cappella style. And it was spectacular. Quite the atmosphere inside the old stadium tonight."