Barcelona defeats Atletico 2-1 to stay on top in La Liga

FC Barcelona's Fermin Lopez scores the team’s second goal past Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak in La Liga, on November 8 | Photo Credit: Reuters Barcelona's Fermin Lopez scored twice as the visitors came from behind to win ​2-1 at Atletico Madrid and retain a three-point lead at the top ‌of LaLiga on Sunday (November 8, 2026).Barca's win takes them clear of ​second-placed Real Madrid, who moved to 30 points with ⁠a 3-0 win at lowly Valencia on Saturday, and five ahead of Atletico in third after 12 games.The hosts imposed a tempo that Barcelona struggled ‌to counteract before the break. In the second half, the Catalans had a firm grip and the momentum, as ‌coach Hansi Flick's typically aggressive side showed they could ‌exert ⁠control too.Atletico began much stronger, though, piercing Barca's high ⁠defensive line with ease.Both sides hit the bar in the opening eight minutes, but it was the home team who deservedly opened the scoring after 10 minutes.STANDINGS | Here's how the #LALIGAEASPORTS table looks after Matchday 12. #SiempreEnNuestroRecuerdo— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) November 9, 2026Julian ​Alvarez had already passed up ‌a golden opportunity, but provided the cross for Giuliano Simeone to bundle the ball into the net from close range.Atletico coach Diego Simeone had every reason to be pleased with his side's ‌performance when he asked for calm in the 28th minute. ​The only disappointment was that their smart attacking play had not yielded another goal.Barca gradually found ways ⁠to hurt Atletico as the half went on though, primarily through Lamine Yamal and Pedri Gonzalez.The latter's driving run led to Fermin sweeping ‌a loose ball into the corner for the equaliser in the 45th minute.Barcelona dominated proceedings after the break and Atletico's forays into the opposition half became rare.When Lamine finally conjured a clear chance with an incisive pass, Fermin provided a clinical finish in the 66th.On the touchline, Simeone desperately pleaded with his side to mount ‌a final onslaught with 10 minutes remaining, but Barca choked the life out ​of the game with slick possession.Elsewhere, late goals from Real Betis' Rodrigo Riquelme and Marc Bartra maintained their ⁠side's grip on fourth spot following a 2-0 win at Elche, who ⁠go into the international break in the relegation zone as a result.Real Sociedad lie four points behind Betis in ‌fifth after Orri Oskarsson's second-half goal gave his side a 1-0 home win over Rayo Vallecano.Villarreal beat visitors Getafe 2-0 and ​Levante held out for a 0-0 draw at Celta Vigo. Published - November 09, 2026 11:40 am IST