Barcelona extend lead at top of La Liga with 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid

Barca recover from a goal down to win, with strikes from Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.Published On 2 Dec 2025Barcelona produced an impressive comeback to beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and move four points clear at the top of La Liga.Alex Baena fired Atletico ahead on Tuesday, but Raphinha equalised for the champions before Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres slotted home to end the visitors’ run of 13 straight league games without defeat.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Real Madrid look to get faltering La Liga race back on track against Bilbaolist 2 of 4Spain and Barcelona star Bonmati ruled out for months with leg fracturelist 3 of 4From paper to plastic balls: The complete guide to FIFA World Cup 2026 drawlist 4 of 4Report finds widespread police failings over UK’s Hillsborough disasterend of listBarca might have been more comfortable had Robert Lewandowski not ballooned a first-half penalty over the bar.Real Madrid, who are second, visit Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, aiming to peg Barca back, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico are fourth, six points behind the Catalans.This was Barca’s fifth consecutive La Liga win after losing the El Clasico against Madrid in October, but they have not shone consistently in that period, and coming against a title rival, this display gave Flick’s side a welcome boost.They were without defender Ronald Araujo, who is taking a mental health break, according to Spanish reports, along with ill midfielder Frenkie de Jong and the longer-term absentees.After a 3-0 thrashing at Chelsea last week in the Champions League, followed by a shaky win over Alaves to claim pole position in La Liga, nerves were jangling at Camp Nou.Following a tense start, Atletico took the lead with, predictably, a ball in behind Barcelona’s persistently high defensive line.Baena scampered through on goal and beat Joan Garcia, barely celebrating because he could sense the linesman’s raised flag behind him.However, a VAR review showed the Spaniard was level with Pau Cubarsi when he broke, and the goal was reinstated.Alex Baena celebrates scoring the opener [David Ramos/Getty Images]Barcelona responded rapidly and levelled in the 26th minute, when Pedri, back fit to start, played in Raphinha.