Fermin double earns Barcelona 2-1 comeback win over Atletico Madrid
Barcelona turned a poor start into a statement win at the Metropolitano on Sunday, November 8, as Fermin Lopez’s brace overturned Giuliano Simeone’s early goal and sealed a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga. The win leaves the champions with a bigger cushion at the top.
Atletico began with far more purpose, and Barcelona looked out of tune. Marc Bernal, deputising for the injured Rodri, struggled to hold the midfield together, and the visitors were repeatedly stretched by quick counters.
Julian Alvarez came close twice before the opener. He lost his balance when through on goal after a deflection off Pedri, and then Marc Pubill’s effort struck the crossbar in quick succession.
The goal came in the 10th minute. Marcos Llorente led a rapid counter, Alvarez ran into space and squared the ball, and Simeone swept it home. Play was later paused for a minute of applause for Jesus de Miguel.
Atletico had chances to extend the lead. Alvarez was denied by Joan Garcia, who recovered the ball inches from his line, and Lee Kang-In and Alex Baena both missed good openings, Baena firing straight at the keeper from close range.
Barcelona rarely looked threatening in that spell. Lamine Yamal repeatedly beat Alejandro Grimaldo on the right and Raphinha tested the wall with a free kick, but Jan Oblak was never seriously troubled before the break.
The equaliser arrived on the stroke of half-time. Pedri drove forward and found Lopez, and a slight deflection off Llorente helped the ball sit up. Lopez sent a rising shot into the top corner, giving Oblak no chance.
Hansi Flick brought on Frenkie de Jong for Brian Farinas at the break, with the Dutchman slotting in at right-back. Barcelona started the second half on the front foot, and Yamal and Pedri both tested Atletico early.
Alvarez had a chance to restore the lead, racing through on goal, but his attempted chip sailed over the bar. Barcelona’s defence stayed under pressure, and Flick made another change, replacing Joao Cancelo with Andreas Christensen.
Barcelona then took control. Yamal slipped a piercing pass inside the area in the 66th minute, and Lopez, with no need to look, buried a finish into the far corner. It completed a turnaround few had expected.
Atletico pushed for an equaliser. Alexander Sorloth was introduced and nearly met a cross at the far post, but Pau Cubarsi rose highest to head clear, and Alvarez later saw a low effort deflected behind for a corner.
Barcelona saw out the closing stages calmly. Yamal fired narrowly wide from a Gordon cross and Raphinha dragged a late free kick over, while Llorente was booked for a foul on substitute Karim Adeyemi.
Lopez marked his 100th La Liga appearance with the brace, and his sixth goal of the season matched his league tally from each of his last two campaigns. Atletico had not lost a home league game after scoring first since April, when Barcelona also beat them 2-1.
Barcelona go four points clear of Atletico, at least until their rivals’ results are counted, and restore the three-point gap over Real Madrid. Atletico had hoped to move top with an eighth straight league win.