Late Lionel Messi magic moves Barcelona top with win at Atletico Madrid

Lionel Messi hit a sensational late goal to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at title rivals Atletico Madrid which saw the champions reclaim top spot in La Liga from Real Madrid on Sunday.

The Argentine, playing his 701st game for Barca, settled a pulsating and tense encounter in the 86th minute, galloping down the right wing before cutting inside and playing a one-two with Luis Suarez before guiding the ball into the bottom corner.

It was Messi's first goal against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium and gave his side their first win over their rivals at the ground in three attempts after successive draws in the last two seasons.

"Whenever you have a game like this which is really tight and really tough, being able to count on Messi is always an advantage," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.

The strike saw Barca return to the top of the standings with 31 points after 14 games, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atletico were left in sixth spot on 25 points, having played one match more than Barca and Real.

Both sides hit the woodwork and Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen also made two stunning saves, while Atletico felt that Gerard Pique should have been shown a second yellow card in the second half for a late tackle on Alvaro Morata.

Atletico were also fortunate not to have a player sent off when Vitolo slammed into Pique's knee with a fierce challenge a few minutes later after picking up an earlier booking.

"We feel very hard done by," said Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez. "We played superbly and Barcelona had hardly any chances but when Messi appears he is capable of doing anything and he made it look so easy, that's why he is the best."

Atletico had won only one of their previous six games in all competitions and looked intent on making an early statement as they came out pressing Barca high up the pitch and peppering their box with crosses.

One of those nearly resulted in Junior Firpo deflecting the ball into his own net but it bounced against the far post, while soon after Ter Stegen pulled off a marvellous save by using his body to thwart Mario Hermoso from point-blank range.

The German then demonstrated outstanding reflexes by swooping to the ground to beat away a header from Morata, while he watched a shot from Hector Herrera fly past the post.

Barca, who were missing the suspended Sergio Busquets and injured Ousmane Dembele, could not impose their usual passing game on Atletico although Ivan Rakitic spurned a good chance to put them ahead when he scuffed a shot straight at Jan Oblak.

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Roared on by 67,000 vociferous fans, Atletico looked more likely to snatch a winner but yet again Messi proved the difference, scoring for the 30th time against the Madrid club to give his side a hugely significant win.

After the match, Atletico boss Diego Simeone took the loss in stride, saying: "I'm calm because the team gave everything, they did what the coach asked of them. The change will come when instead of hitting the post, it will go in. We have to understand the transitional year we're in. Patience and calm."

He added: "I have less patience than anyone, but you have to understand the huge change there's been in the team, it needs time. We're improving our play but the most important thing the goal, is missing."