Fermin double seals Barcelona’s comeback win at Atleti

Fermin Lopez scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to claim a gritty win over Atletico Madrid, which maintained their advantage at the top of La Liga.

Rivals Real Madrid had drawn level with Barca on 30 points, though behind on goal difference, after a 3-0 win over Valencia on Saturday.

But Hansi Flick’s side will head into the international break with a three-point cushion after Lopez’s double at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Barca have now won 11 of their 12 league matches this season, dropping points only in a home defeat to Real in last month’s El Clasico.

Atletico had the better of an enthralling first half, but were unable to make their early dominance count.

Julian Alvarez was sent clear in the sixth minute but, with only visiting goalkeeper Joan Garcia to beat, took too many touches and let the chance slip away.

Both sides then struck the woodwork – Marc Pubill’s header hitting the bar for Atleti and Pedri’s effort struck the post for Barca during a chaotic opening.

The hosts, though, opened the scoring when Giuliano Simeone emphatically converted Alvarez’s low 10th-minute cross.

The game was paused for a minute shortly after the opener to allow players and supporters to pay tribute to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after suffering a serious injury during a Spanish Second Division match.

Atletico looked more likely to extend their advantage, but Barcelona drew level on the stroke of half-time when the hosts failed to clear their lines, allowing Lopez to curl home.

They were also more purposeful after the break and took the lead in the 66th minute when Lamine Yamal threaded an intelligent pass into the path of Lopez, who guided the ball beyond Jan Oblak.

Atletico pressed for an equaliser, but were unable to really test visiting goalkeeper Garcia and their second league loss left them in third place, five points adrift of Barca.