Atletico Madrid pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory against Barcelona with Alexander Sorloth scoring a last-minute winner. After falling behind to Pedri’s goal, Atletico fought back with Rodrigo de Paul equalizing and Sorloth securing the win with their last attack of the game. The win catapulted Atletico to the top of La Liga, maintaining their winning streak of 12 consecutive matches across all competitions.
Barcelona dominated the match with 19 shots on goal compared to Atletico’s five, but failed to convert their chances. Raphinha hitting the crossbar with his side leading proved to be a turning point, as Atletico capitalized and equalized shortly after. Despite multiple opportunities, Barcelona could not find the back of the net as Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak made crucial saves to keep his team in the game. The result saw Atletico maintain their level on points with their league rivals heading into the Christmas break.
Jan Oblak was the standout player of the match, making six saves to deny Barcelona further goals. His performance was pivotal in Atletico’s victory, with manager Diego Simeone acknowledging the goalkeeper’s contribution following the winning goal. Oblak’s save from Pedri’s close-range effort in the final minutes ensured Atletico secured all three points, highlighting his importance to the team’s success.
Player ratings reflected Oblak’s exceptional performance, with Barcelona’s Pedri receiving the highest rating of 8 for his goal and overall impact on the game. Atletico’s Oblak received a near-perfect rating of 9, showcasing his influence on the match. Despite Barcelona’s strong attacking display, Atletico’s defensive resilience and Oblak’s heroics ultimately secured the win for the visitors.
Key moments in the match included Pedri’s opening goal for Barcelona, Raphinha’s attempt hitting the crossbar, De Paul’s equalizer for Atletico, and Sorloth’s late winner. Substitute Nahuel Molina’s decisive pass to Sorloth in stoppage time sealed the victory for Atletico, extending their impressive winning streak. The result saw Atletico demonstrate their ruthless streak and determination to succeed, moving them to the top of La Liga at Christmas.
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