Competition Focus

Atletico Madrid 0-3 Barcelona – Joao Felix scores as Barca end Atleti’s 25-match unbeaten home league run


Joao Felix came back to haunt his parent club sliding home the opening goal as Barcelona recorded a 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid.

The Portuguese forward was only making his fifth start of the season on loan at Barcelona but took his 39th minute chance well.

Barcelona had started the game slowly before clicking into gear despite boss Xavi being sent off after expressing his anger at the officials.

Just two minutes into the second half Robert Lewandowski doubled Barcelona’s lead with a fine finish from a tight angle.

The experienced Polish striker then turned playmaker providing a perfect cross for Fermin Lopez to complete the win.

After losing their unbeaten home league record it got worse for Atletico in the final minutes when Nahuel Molina brought down Vitor Roque and was shown red.

Barcelona are still eight points behind leaders Real Madrid, while Atletico sit a point outside the top four Champions League positions.

Talking Point – Joao Felix has uncertain future after facing hostile reception

After spending last season on loan at Chelsea, the 24-year-old attacker was unable to get a permanent move away from Atletico Madrid in the summer.

Barcelona took him on loan but the Portuguese star has been largely left on the bench. After scoring the winner against Atletico in the reverse fixture, Felix was started against his parent club and netted the opener.

However, the home fans made their ill feelings very clear towards their star throughout the match.

Player of the match – Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

With several youngsters filling in for injured stars Barcelona needed an experienced head to guide them through a potential difficult tie at Atletico Madrid.

The experienced forward provided assists for two goals and scored the other during an impressive showing.

The former Bayern Munich star netted a key second goal just minutes into the second half steering the ball home from a tight angle.

Player ratings

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 7, Molina 5, Savic 5, Witsel 6, Mandava 6, Lino 6, Llorente 6, Barrios 5, de Paul 6, Morata 6, Riquelme 7. Subs: Correa 6, Depay 6, Griezmann 6, Koke 6, Niguez 6,

Barcelona: Stegen 8, Kounde 7, Araujo 7, Cubarsi 7, Fort 7, Gundogan 6, Roberto 6, Lopez 7, Raphinha 7, Lewandowski 9, Joao Felix 7. Subs: Martinez 6, Cassado 6, Romeu 6, Roque 7, Yamal 6

Match Highlights

39 – Goal! Atletico Madrid 0 Barcelona 1 (Joao Felix)

Felix turns the ball home against his parent club to put Barcelona ahead finishing off a fine move.

Gundogan charges towards the box before finding Lewandowski unmarked who takes a touch and decides not to shoot instead finding Felix to score.

Referee Jose Sanchez stops the game showing the Barcelona boss a red card for something he has said towards the official. He’s not happy as he walks down the tunnel.

47 – Goal! Atletico Madrid 0 Barcelona 2 (Lewandowski)

Barcelona win the ball high up the pitch before Raphinha finds Lewandowski who despite falling backwards at a tight angle fires the ball home.

53 – Ter Stegen makes fine save

Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen is forced into a fine save down low to deny Llorente’s powerful effort. The rebound finds Depay in an off-side position.

65 – Goal! Atletico Madrid 0 Barcelona 3 (Lopez)

Lopez heads home free inside the box to seal the three points.

Kounde started the move charging forward before finding Lewandowski whose whipped cross is perfect for the unmarked Lopez who powers his header home.

86 – Niguez should score

Atletico should have a goal back as a ball across the face of the Barcelona goal drops to Niquez who puts his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

90+3 – Molina is shown red

Vitor Roque beats the off-side trap and is chased down by Molina who then takes him down on the edge of the box.

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