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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
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Getafe331013104145-443
10Villarreal32119125155-442
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
13Sevilla32910134145-437
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Mallorca32613132638-1231
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria33111213267-3514


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