MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Joao Felix of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring their sides first goal with his teammates Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on March 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Barcelona proved too strong for Atletico Madrid after recording a 3-0 win at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday night.
LaLiga
Result: Atletico Madrid 0-3 Barcelona
Date: 17 March 2024
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Barca made three changes following their win over Napoli in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg, Joao Felix was recalled against his parent club, alongside Sergi Roberto and Hector Fort.Atletico had early chances to punish Blaugrana mistakes at the back but the likes of Alvaro Morata and Pablo Barrios could not make the most of the opportunities.
After a fairly balanced encounter, Barca were the most threatening side after the half-hour mark as Fermin Lopez forced a save out of goalkeeper Jan Oblak after a ball over the top.
The Catalan giants eventually went ahead seven minutes before the interval after Felix steered home a cut-back by Robert Lewandowski.
Barcelona had to do without their manager Xavi on the bench after he was sent off on the stroke of half-time for remonstrating with referees.
However, Blaugrana had a dream start in the second stanza after Lewandowski doubled their lead just two minutes from the break with a shot across the face of goal after dinked pass by Raphinha.
Atletico were fired up after that and eight minutes later shot-stopper Marc Andre ter Stegen made a double save to keep out strikes from Marcos Llorente and Memphis Depay from a rebound.
As the game opened up, Lopez ended the visitors' hopes of a comeback on 65 minutes with a bullet header from a cross by Lewandowski.
Diego Simeone's charges had a good attacking spell after that but they were not precise in front of goal.
Barca could afford to rest Felix in the last 13 minutes as he was replaced by 19-year-old Vitor Roque for fresh legs up top.
Atletico finished the game with ten men after Nahuel Molina was sent off in added time for a professional foul, as Barcelona moved to within eight points of leaders Real Madrid in second spot on the table.
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