Robert Lewandowski scored a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of LaLiga after Real Madrid slipped up.
Second-placed Real were beaten 2-1 at Mallorca earlier on, and Barcelona capitalised at the Metropolitano stadium to take a big step towards defending the league title.
Marcus Rashford pulled Barcelona level after Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half.
Atletico midfielder Nico Gonzalez was sent off just before the break and his team dug deep with 10 men to try and avoid defeat, which they almost managed.
Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski had other ideas and used his shoulder to deflect home a rebound from point-blank range after 87 minutes.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said the race for the Spanish crown was not over but admitted it was an important victory.
Flick said: “We have eight games to play and for me nothing is done, we have to stay focused.
“The players were happy, everyone knows that these were big points today, but everyone knows it’s not done.”
This was the first of a trilogy of matches between the sides, clashing in the Champions League quarter-finals over the next fortnight.
With little left to play for in LaLiga, Atletico coach Diego Simeone rotated heavily with Wednesday’s visit to Camp Nou in mind.
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