Barcelona 3-1 Atlético de Madrid: Flick's comeback to extend their lead at the top

FC Barcelona won a match that may be worth much more than 3 points in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. On a dramatic night at the Spotify Camp Nou, the culés once again staged a comeback against an Atlético de Madrid (3-1) side that, despite being outplayed for most of the encounter, came close to snatching a draw on Catalan soil.

The match had a frenetic pace during the first half-hour, with a goal for each side and Barcelona reacting immediately after falling behind on the scoreboard in the 19th minute. After the 1-1 draw in the first 45 minutes, with the Blaugrana clearly superior in play but once again shaky at the back, the second half ended with dramatic undertones.

Dani Olmo made it 2-1 in the 65th minute, in an action where he ended up injuring his shoulder. Following the exits of Pedri and Raphinha in the final stretch, Hansi Flick's men suffered in the closing minutes.

However, they managed to seal the match with a goal from Ferran Torres in stoppage time, securing a victory that allows them to move 6 points clear of the 'Colchoneros' and 4 ahead of Real Madrid, who visit Athletic on Wednesday.

Barça started behind for the second consecutive match

Barça dominated possession from the get-go, while Atlético bet on a low block and quick outlets down the flanks, with Álex Baena and Nico González launching down the wings. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal did the same in the Blaugrana attack, although the Brazilian was more involved in the opening minutes.

The '11' tried his luck with a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box in the 9th minute. Pedri, returning to the starting XI, brought more balance to a midfield that once again featured Eric García as the '5', given the absence of Frenkie de Jong and doubts over Marc Casadó's form.

In the 18th minute, Baena capitalized on a long ball from Nahuel Molina to break the offside trap, go through on goal alone, and finish past Joan García. The linesman raised his flag, but the semi-automated VAR validated the goal. Pau Cubarsí was caught out, and Barça, for the ninth time in the last ten League matchdays, failed to keep a clean sheet.

Furthermore, it was the second consecutive time Flick's side started losing at the Camp Nou. The team, however, reacted immediately, pinning Atlético back near their own goal with Balde and Koundé camped in the rival half.

Immediate reaction with a screamer from Raphinha and a penalty on Olmo

Raphinha breaks his LaLiga drought with a screamer against Atlético

Olmo and Pedri did their job in recovering and distributing the ball, mainly towards Rapha and Lamine. In the 25th minute, Pedri, with time and space, filtered a perfect pass for Raphinha. The Brazilian anticipated the 'Colchonero' defense and, facing the onrushing Oblak, rounded the goalkeeper to finish into an empty net.

For the Brazilian, it was his first goal since matchday four, in the rout against Valencia (he scored a brace in the 6-0). Barça maintained a frenetic pace during the following minutes, pushing for the second goal with Atleti on the ropes. The 'Red-and-Whites', however, nearly surprised the Culé defense again with a long ball in the 30th minute.

Cubarsí erred again, this time glancing a header backwards. Luckily, Joan García was alert to rush out and prevent Baena from going through on goal alone once more.

Five minutes later, Dani Olmo won a clear penalty from Pablo Barrios, signaled by Ricardo de Burgos and confirmed by González Fuertes from the VAR room. Lewandowski took charge of the spot-kick, but the Pole, as against Sevilla, missed from the penalty spot, this time blasting a right-footed shot into the clouds.

The Pole nearly redeemed himself in the 37th minute with a header off a perfect cross from Lamine, but Oblak pulled off a brilliant save. Despite the Blaugrana siege, Diego Simeone's men managed to hold onto the draw until halftime.

Balanced start to the second half

At halftime, 'Cholo' brought on Connor Gallagher in place of Nico González. Atlético also had to make a forced substitution in the 13th minute with Koke entering for the injured Johnny Cardoso. Barça, for their part, kept their XI intact after the break.

The first minutes of the second half were somewhat more even, with an attempted chip by Julián Álvarez neutralized by Joan García, and a wide shot by Raphinha following a great play by Lamine. Giuliano, a minute later, also missed a clear opportunity after mishandling a pass from the 'Spider' inside the box.

Lewandowski also came inches away from connecting with a cross from Rapha in the 58th minute, capping off a good Blaugrana counterattack. The match gained intensity, with an open midfield for both teams.

In the 60th minute, Álex Baena also had to request a substitution due to a muscular injury. Thiago Almada was his replacement, while Simeone lamented losing another player, along with his second substitution window. 'Cholo' took the opportunity to put Alexander Sorloth in place of Giuliano, with half an hour left to play.

Dani Olmo restored Barça's lead in the 65th minute

Just after Atleti's double substitution, Barça regained the lead. After a good collective Blaugrana move, Dani Olmo, with a placed left-footed shot, made it 2-1 in the 65th minute. The Terrassa native, however, landed badly after shooting, suffering an apparent dislocation of his left shoulder.

Flick had no choice but to take off the number '20', sending Marcus Rashford on in his place. Ferran Torres also came on for Lewandowski, who ended up 'accidentally' assisting Olmo just before leaving. The Pole tried to control a pass from Pedri but stumbled. Luckily, the ball fell to Dani, who took care of the rest.

Lamine Yamal, in the 69th minute, wasted a golden opportunity with a curling left-footed shot that went too high. Afterwards, Flick took off Pedri and Raphinha, both clearly tired, to bring on Marc Casadó and Dro Fernández.

Ferran Torres sealed the match in stoppage time

Barcelona suffered in the final stretch but managed to hold onto the slender lead after two clear chances wasted by Almada (who missed an empty net in the 80th minute) and Griezmann, who came on to play the final ten minutes.

Joan García was very attentive in the air and, in the 90+6th minute, Ferran Torres scored the third with a notable finish past Oblak, following a one-two between Rashford and Balde, with an assist from the full-back against a completely broken 'Colchonero' defense.

With the victory, Barça reach 37 points and tally five consecutive wins. Atlético, meanwhile, snap a streak of six straight wins and remain 6 points behind the LaLiga leaders, who visit Betis on Saturday (18:30 CEST).

Match Technical Sheet: FC Barcelona 3-1 Atlético de Madrid

• FC Barcelona, 3: Joan Garcia; Koundé, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Balde; Eric García, Pedri (Dro, min. 73); Dani Olmo (Rashford, min. 67), Lamine Yamal (Christensen, min. 88), Raphinha (Casadó, min. 73); Lewandowski (Ferran, min. 67)
• Atlético de Madrid, 1: Oblak; Molina, Giménez, Lenglet, Hancko; Barrios, Cardoso (Koke, min. 13; Griezmann, min. 75); Simeone (Sorloth, min. 62), Baena (Almada, min. 62), Nico González (Gallagher, min. 46); Julián Álvarez.
• Goals: 0-1, Álex Baena (min. 19); 1-1, Raphinha (min. 26); 2-1, Dani Olmo (min. 65); 3-1, Ferran Torres (min. 90+6)
• Referee: Ricardo de Burgos. He awarded a penalty by Pablo Barrios on Dani Olmo in the first half. For Atlético, he booked Álex Baena. For Barça, he booked Gerard Martín.
• Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona.
• Match details: Match corresponding to Matchday 19 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.