Ferran Torres scored twice as Barcelona came from two goals down to defeat Atletico Madrid 4-2 in a thrilling La Liga encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday. The victory, coupled with Real Madrid’s win on Saturday, sees Barcelona return to the top of La Liga on goal difference, level on points with their rivals (60), and with a game in hand after last week’s fixture against Osasuna was postponed.
Atletico Madrid took the lead on the stroke of halftime. Antoine Griezmann initiated a swift counter-attack, finding Giuliano Simeone, whose precise pass allowed Julian Alvarez to score his 11th league goal of the season.
Diego Simeone’s side doubled their advantage in the 70th minute. Substitute Alexander Sorloth finished clinically from close range after being set up by Conor Gallagher.
However, Barcelona responded immediately. Robert Lewandowski, the league’s leading scorer, latched onto Inigo Martinez’s cross to score his 22nd league goal of the season, reducing the deficit.
The visitors equalized in the 78th minute. Substitute Raphinha delivered a delightful ball into the box, and Torres headed home.
Lamine Yamal then put Barcelona ahead in stoppage time with a long-range strike that found the net. Torres completed the scoring, and his brace, adding a fourth goal to seal a dramatic comeback victory.
“I am happy and proud of this team,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told a press conference. “They never give up… It’s a great three points and we are happy to be top.”
Yamal commented after the match: “It was very important to get the three points today. At the end of the anger, of the impotence of seeing that we weren’t comfortable, we showed our best side, we gave the best we had. It was clear to me that if I scored it would be in important games. Since the ball was on the other side of the pitch I could see Gallagher was moving away from me and as soon as it came to me I saw the opportunity and I saw the shot.”
The two teams will meet again soon, in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Metropolitano on April 2nd, following a 4-4 draw in the first leg. The victory highlights Barcelona’s resilience and attacking firepower, while Atletico Madrid will rue their inability to hold onto a two-goal lead. Atletico remain third on 56 points from 28 games.
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