Atlético Madrid’s LaLiga title hopes suffered a major blow as they squandered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 against Barcelona in a dramatic late collapse at the Metropolitano.
The defeat denied Diego Simeone’s side their first league double over Barcelona since 2005/06, while the visitors leapfrogged Real Madrid to claim the top spot.
Still reeling from their controversial Champions League exit against Los Blancos just days earlier, Atlético started cautiously.
Barcelona, meanwhile, nearly took the lead within five minutes when Lamine Yamal struck the outside of Jan Oblak’s post after a slick one-two with Dani Olmo.
Despite controlling possession for much of the first half, Barca found themselves behind just before the break.
A sweeping crossfield pass from Antoine Griezmann was expertly laid off by Giuliano Simeone for Julián Álvarez, who smashed home his 23rd goal of the season to send Atleti into halftime with the lead.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Yamal and Olmo continuing to cause problems for the hosts.
However, Atlético doubled their advantage in the 70th minute as Griezmann dispossessed Eric García, launching a counter-attack that ended with Conor Gallagher setting up Alexander Sørloth for a simple finish.
Barcelona, furious at a possible Rodrigo De Paul handball in the build-up, responded immediately.
Iñigo Martínez whipped in a cross for Robert Lewandowski, who controlled brilliantly on his chest before firing into the bottom corner to set up a frantic finale.
Minutes later, Raphinha’s pinpoint delivery found substitute Ferran Torres, who powered a header past Oblak to level the score.
With Atleti shell-shocked, their nightmare was complete in stoppage time. Yamal’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Reinildo, looping into the far corner to complete the turnaround.
Moments later, Torres added his second to seal a breathtaking victory for Barcelona and end Atlético’s unbeaten home record in LaLiga this season.
Barcelona will now turn their attention to a crucial post-international break clash against Girona, hoping to build on this remarkable comeback and tighten their grip on the title race.
