Ferran Torres (R) of Barcelona vies with Saul Niguez of Atletico de Madrid during a La Liga football match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
MADRID, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Joao Felix scored the only goal as FC Barcelona held on to beat Atletico Madrid in the former Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on Sunday night.
The Portuguese forward clipped the ball home in the first half, before a celebration that may enrage supporters of his former club, who drop below Barca to fourth in La Liga and see their title hopes suffer a serious setback.
Barcelona started strongly, with Raphinha going close in the opening minutes, before Robert Lewandowski volleyed Jules Kounde's cross over in the 12th minute.
Atletico also had their chances in a high-octane opening, with Ronald Araujo clearing off the line from Atletico defender Nahual Molina, but at the other end, Molina was weak in the challenge as Joao Felix held him off to clip Pedri's pass over Jan Oblak in the 28th minute.
The striker is playing at Barca on loan from Atletico, but his reaction in leaping onto an advertising hoarding with his arms spread wide made clear where his loyalties lie, as Atletico coach Diego Simeone looked on with an expression which didn't hide his thoughts about a player he had a 'difficult' relationship with.
Antoine Griezmann had a shot blocked at the other end after a strong run from Marcos Llorente, but with Frenkie de Jong controlling midfield, Barca went close again as Lewandowski saw his effort from Joao Felix's cross saved.
Simeone brought on Angel Correa, Cesar Azpilicueta and Samu Lino for Molina, Riquelme and Jose Gimenez at halftime, but the script initially didn't change much as Raphinha rattled the woodwork after a strong run.
Griezmann fired into the side netting under pressure at the other end, and after Inaki Pena - again in goal for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen - blocked Alvaro Morata from close range, it looked as if Atletico were getting back into the game.
Most of the game was in the Barcelona half now, and after Lino was fouled outside the Barca area, Pena was at full stretch to palm Memphis Depay's free kick onto the post.
Griezmann saw another free kick blocked, and with Pedri and De Jong clearly tiring, the game was played mainly in the Barca half, but apart from a straightforward block from Correa in injury time, Pena wasn't called on to make another difficult save. ■
Raphinha (C) of Barcelona shoots during a La Liga football match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona reacts with Saul Niguez (top) of Atletico de Madrid during a La Liga football match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Frenkie de Jong (R) of Barcelona vies with Alvaro Morata of Atletico de Madrid during a La Liga football match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
