The final match of round 29 of La Liga saw Barca win 3-0 right on Atletico’s field, on a brilliant day for striker Robert Lewandowski.
GOAL

Barca : Felix (38′), Lewandowski (47′), Fermin (65′)

RED CARD

Atletico : Molina (90’+2)

Barca entered the trip to Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid with the determination to win. Because in the early match, Girona lost 0-1 at Getafe’s field. If they earn all 3 points on Atletico’s field, coach Xavi and his team will rise to 2nd place on the La Liga rankings.

However, Barca’s goal almost disappeared as soon as the ball rolled 7 minutes. Goalkeeper Ter Stegen made a careless pass, helping De Paul win the ball right on the edge of Barca’s penalty area. The 2022 World Cup champion quickly passed to Pablo Barrios, but in an unmarked position, the Spanish midfielder shot wide.

Diego Simeone and his team will surely regret this miss. Because after “missing”, Ter Stegen and his teammates played more focused, and got what they needed: a goal right at Civitas Metropolitano. In the 38th minute, Lewandowski received the ball in Barca’s penalty area and then passed it as if to let Felix score a one-touch shot into the home team’s net. For the same reason, the Portuguese striker did not celebrate the goal.

Felix’s goal was one of the two most prominent highlights in the first 45 minutes, when near the end of the first half, coach Xavi was disqualified for reacting.

It was thought that Coach Xavi’s dismissal would make Barca feel like a “headless snake”, but as soon as the second half started, Lewandowski punished the Atletico player’s mistake. De Paul carelessly passed the ball into Raphinha’s feet. After a pull, the Brazilian striker assisted Lewandowski to help Barca take a 2-0 lead.

Being led by 2 goals right at home, Atletico put all their forces high up to attack. However, while the attack played ungainly, Atletico’s defense was incredibly lax. The equalizer was nowhere to be seen, Atletico had to concede the third goal.

In the 65th minute, instead of scoring himself, Lewandowski played the assistive role, passing the ball as if to let Fermin jump high and head into the home team’s net. With 2 assists and 1 goal against Atletico, it is not surprising that Lewandowski received the title of Best Player of the match.

In the final minutes of the match, Atletico still had to play without a man when defender Nahuel Molina received a red card in the 90’+2 minute. The home team’s hope of having an honorable mention also disappeared.

The final result of this match was 3-0 in favor of the away team. Barca has risen to 2nd place on the 2023/24 La Liga rankings with 8 points behind top team Real Madrid.

SQUAD

Atletico : Oblak, Savic, Witsel, Reinildo, Molina, Llorente (Koke ​​58′), Barrios, De Paul (Saul 66′), Lino (Griezmann 46′), Morata (Depay 46′), Rodrigo Riquelme (Ángel Correa 58′ ).

Barca : Ter Stegen, Hector Fort (Casado 82′), Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde, Sergi Roberto (Romeu 77′), Fermin Lopez (Inigo Martinez 82′), Gundogan, Felix (Vitor Roque 77′), Raphinha (Yamal 61 ), Lewandowski.