MADRID (AP) – Barcelona extended its lead in the Spanish league with a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, when Dani Olmo injured his shoulder while scoring the go-ahead goal.
Olmo scored Barcelona’s second goal with his left foot in the 65th minute at the Camp Nou Stadium before falling and injuring his left shoulder. Atlético took the lead through Alex Baena’s goal, before Rafinha equalized for the home side in the first half.
Olmo was in visible pain after the fall and was unable to celebrate the goal that gave Barcelona a four-goal lead over Real Madrid. Barcelona’s playmaker was quickly replaced and had to be assisted off the field by the club’s medical staff.
Round 19 of the match has been moved up as both teams will take part in the Spanish Super Cup in January. Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, who will also be playing in the Super Cup, will face off in Bilbao on Wednesday.
“It was an important game and these three points were important,” Rafinha said after Barcelona’s fifth consecutive league win. “They may ultimately help decide the league.”
Atletico, who are in fourth place, have dropped six points behind Barcelona after 15 games. Diego Simeone’s team had won seven consecutive games in all competitions.
“Barça played better,” said Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak. “We had several chances to equalize, but we couldn’t take them. Unfortunately, this is the end of our good run, but we have to keep our heads up and move on.”
Barcelona are still playing at Camp Nou, which cannot be filled to capacity due to a lack of permits following major renovations.
Baena put the visitors ahead in the 19th minute when he picked up Nahuel Molina’s long pass behind the Barcelona defense. The goal had to be confirmed after an offside check by video review.
Rafinha equalized in the 26th minute after receiving a great through ball from Pedri. The Brazilian forward cleared Oblak inside the area before finding an open net.
Barcelona had a chance to take the lead in the 36th minute when Olmo was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Pablo Barrios inside the area, but Robert Lewandowski’s shot from the spot went wide over the crossbar, a rare mistake for the veteran Polish striker.
Atlético almost equalized in the 80th minute when Thiago Almada cleared several Barcelona defenders inside the area. Ferran Torres, who replaced Olmo, sealed Barcelona’s victory until the end of stoppage time.
Both teams lost players to apparent injuries in the second half. Pedri came on as a substitute for Barcelona in the 74th minute, while Baena came on as a substitute for Atletico in the 63rd minute.
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