Lionel Messi Scores A Late Winner To Lift Barcelona Over Atletico Madrid

Barcelona climbed to the top of the La Liga table (at least until Real Madrid play Villarreal later today) after defeating fierce rivals Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon, 2-1.

Rafinha opened the scoring for Barca in the 64th minute with a goal that probably took a couple of years off Diego Simeone’s life.

¡GOOOOOOOL! @Rafinha aparece para elevar al @FCBarcelona_es con su sexto gol en @LaLiga 0-1 #AtletiFCB https://t.co/vmSv0wZevv

— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 26, 2017

Diego Godin found the equalizer only six minutes later for Atletico off a set piece.

¡GOOOL! @diegogodin cabecea el empate tras el envío de @Koke6 ¡PARTIDAZO! @Atleti 1-1 @FCBarcelona_es #AtletiFCB https://t.co/hSYw9weHPq

— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 26, 2017

Lionel Messi rescued the three points for Barcelona in the 86th minute with another scrappy goal.

¡GOOOOOL! @TeamMessi CON LA VENTAJA PARA EL @FCBarcelona_es Y SU GOL NÚMERO 13 EN EL VICENTE CALDERÓN 1-2 #AtletiFCB https://t.co/gfg4TRTGgk

— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 26, 2017

The win saw Barcelona momentarily climb to the top of La Liga. Real Madrid still have two games in hand and play Villarreal later today. Atletico will need to content themselves with battling for the top four this year. The loss means that Real Sociedad remain only one point behind them in fourth.