Fermin Lopez scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano on Sunday, restoring a three-point lead at the top of La Liga heading into the international break.
Giuliano Simeone gave Atletico the lead in the 10th minute, but Fermin equalised on the stroke of half-time and struck the winner in the 66th minute, set up by Lamine Yamal, according to TNT Sports and Sportradar. It was Barcelona’s fifth consecutive away win against Atletico, and a result that keeps the champions in control of the title race.
Atletico, who could have leapfrogged both Barcelona and Real Madrid with a win, remain third — five points behind the leaders and two behind Real Madrid.
Fermin turns the game
Atletico started brilliantly. Simeone finished from seven yards after a cross-field pass from Lee Kang-in and a cross from Julian Alvarez, and the Metropolitano crowd believed their side were on their way to the top of the table.
But Barcelona’s response was ruthless. Fermin equalised in the 45th minute, finishing first-time after Pedri ran at the defence and the ball deflected kindly into his path. Then, in the 66th minute, Yamal threaded a pass through Atletico’s back line and Fermin finished first-time past Jan Oblak to complete the comeback.
It was Fermin’s eighth goal of the season, and the brace underlined his growing importance to a Barcelona side who have now won five away games in a row at the Metropolitano — a feat previously achieved only by Athletic Club in 1955 and Real Madrid in 2013.
A three-team race — with Barcelona on top
The result leaves Barcelona on 33 points from 12 games, three clear of Real Madrid and five clear of Atletico. Madrid had drawn level on Saturday with their 3-0 win at Valencia, but Barcelona’s win restores order at the top — and sends the champions into the break with a cushion.
Atletico will rue a missed opportunity. They led, they were at home, and a win would have put them top. Instead, they are third, and the gap to the leaders has grown from two points to five in a single evening.
What comes next
Barcelona host Celta Vigo when La Liga resumes, while Atletico travel to face a side chasing European football. The title race remains a three-team contest, but Barcelona — with a three-point lead and the best away record in the division — are the team to beat. Fermin, meanwhile, has announced himself as one of the players of the season.
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