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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41 mins: Coutinho has received his fair share of criticism since his move to the Camp Nou but it feels like the crowd have noticed his work rate and input tonight.
He would be on the scoresheet tonight had it not been for Oblak.
Photo: Getty
38 mins: Atletico are just looking a bit nervy at the back now after a short backpass from Filipe Luis. Suarez tries to backheel it into the path of Messi but the away side scramble it away.
Ben Hayward: "Costa sent off inside half an hour and it looks like the referee changed his mind from a yellow to a red after the striker said something he shouldn’t have. Atletico’s players were furious with the decision and the forward had to be escorted off the pitch by his former Spain team-mate Gerard Pique. An extremely tough evening for the Rojiblancos has just become much more difficult and it is going to be a lonely evening up front now for Antoine Griezmann."
33 mins: It's all got a bit tetchy now and Simeone is furiously trying to make a change.
Arias is the man being sacrificed as the Argentine sends on super sub Angel Correa. Quite an attacking change, given they're down to 10 men.
29 mins: Gimenez was also shown a yellow card in the fracas there.
Atletico losing their discipline when they had a good chance of winning this game at 0-0.
29 mins: RED CARD! (Diego Costa - Atletico Madrid)
Oh dear! The Atleti bad boy has been shown a straight red card for saying something untoward to the referee. What a real shame for the neutrals - just when this contest was heating up!
Costa is still making his case to the referee and is furious. Pique has to intervene and tells him to leave the pitch, which he eventually does.
Photo: AP
27 mins: Stunning save from Oblak!
That was the moment for Coutinho to endear himself to the Camp Nou crowd.
He strikes it towards the bottom corner and must think he's scored, but Oblak gets a strong hand to it and somehow keeps it out. Incredible stop!
26 mins: Here come Atletico again and they're having a good go at the moment as Arias crosses to the far post, and Pique is required to head it away.
Partey tugs the shirt of Rakitic and gets his name taken.
23 mins: Rodri pulls down Messi on the edge of the box and that's not where you want to give the Argentinian a chance to score from. Fortunately, he puts too much power on it and it's about a few feet over the bar.
21 mins: Griezmann fires at ter Stegen!
The Frenchman is sent down the right hand side and he's got a clear sight of goal, so he tries his luck from an acute angle, but Ter Stegen looks comfortable.
That was a decent opportunity for the visitors.