Atlético Madrid overthrew Barcelona this Saturday evening thanks to a late goal (1-2) and takes the lead in the championship.
Atlético Madrid are unstoppable! Authors of a dazzling end to the year 2024, the Colchoneros pocketed a twelfth consecutive victory this Saturday, winning in Barcelona during the shock of the 18th day of La Liga (1-2). Long suffering at Montjuic, Diego Simeone's men achieved a completely crazy success, thanks to a goal scored by Sorloth in the final seconds of a display which kept all its promises (1-2, 90th+6).
Barça's total domination
The current loss of speed in La Liga (one victory in six days) and the absence of Yamal, injured in the ankle, could leave Barça supporters fearing the worst this Saturday. Certainly beaten, the Catalans nevertheless made a much better impression in the game. Dominant from the start and superior in all respects, the Blaugrana quickly hurt a withdrawn Atlético without any solution. And by pushing, Barça ended up achieving their outrageous domination. Shortly after a great opportunity missed by Gavi (25th), Pedri, omnipresent in the midfield, came to deliver Montjuic by deceiving Oblak from close range at the half-hour mark (1-0, 30th).
Atlético resists and punishes
The break did not stop the momentum of the Catalans, still as dominant after returning from the locker room. Raphinha, very prominent in his left lane, even had the 2-0 at the end of his foot, on a lob which finally ended its course on the crossbar (57th). The turning point of the match. Because barely three minutes after this huge opportunity, Atlético created a sensation, by equalizing with its very first strike of the match, signed De Paul (1-1, 60th). Barça's superiority was certainly less clear during the last half hour, but the Blaugrana had the opportunities to regain the advantage. Like Lewandowski's huge miss against goal (76th). A lack of efficiency which cost Barça dearly, surprised in a final counter concluded with composure by Sorloth, the replacement of a Griezmann not very visible at Montjuic.
Winner at the very end of the match, as at the Parc des Princes in the Champions League this fall, Atlético Madrid is guaranteed to spend the end-of-year holidays at the top of La Liga. Second, three points behind the Colchoneros, Barça can harbor enormous regrets. Especially since he could also be overtaken by Real Madrid, against Seville on Sunday.
