Sunday February 26, 2012 Day 25 Finished Estadio Vicente Calderón

Atlético Madrid 1 - 2 FC Barcelona

  • Falcao 49’
  • Dani Alves 36’
  • Messi 81’

109 comments | Write your comment

  1. Messi magic helps Barca snatch win

    Messi magic helps Barca snatch win

    Barcelona's superior possession proved the difference as the champions beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Vicente Calderon. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Atlético Madrid
    • FC Barcelona
    • 90'+3 It's all over! Barcelona have snatched the points but it was an admirable performance from Atletico. A moment of magic from Messi has stolen it for the visitors. Many thanks for your company, you can continue the debate via Twitter, follow and comment here: @rich_newman
    • 90'+3 One last chance for Atletico, as the ball is flung into the box. The ball eventually falls to Gabi on the volley. It's a powerful effort and it's saved by Valdes.
    • 90'+2 Yellow card for Gabi.
    • 90'+1 Atletico win a corner, we'll have three added minutes. Courtois is up! It's towards him, but the ball is claimed by Valdes.
    • 90' It looked like a Busquets handball during that chance for Athletico...
    • 89' Now Atletico win a free kick in a promising position just outside the Barceona box, it's played in and the ball falls to Juanfran who fires a shot at goal, but it's a stunning save from Valdes.
    • 88' Messi looks to be through on goal by Miranda is with him all the way, and nips the ball off the Argentine.
    • 88' Very good pressure from Juanfran on Abidal. Atletico back in possession.
    • 87' Long throw taken by Filipe Luis, cleared away by Barcelona.
    • 87' Silvio comes on for Turan.
    • 86' Now Falcao has been yellow carded. Only three players haven't been booked for Atletico.
    • 85' Miranda is carded for Atletico.
    • 85' Pique is coming on for Barcelona, replacing Sanchez.
    • 84' Messi fires a shot across goal, but it was neither a shot or a cross.
    • 83' Atletico's effort this evening has been incredible. But it's not over yet.
    • 82' The little Argentine looks like the difference again.
    • 81' GOAL! Stunning, simply stunning. Messi takes it left footed curling into the top right hand corner. Courtois stranded. Goal was sublime.
    • 81' Pedro is fouled on the edge of the Atletico area by Gabi. Right on the corner of the left side. Xavi and Messi stand over it.
    • 81' Barcelona will be 12 points behind Real Madrid if it stays like this.
    • 80' The corner comes in but Godin is penalised for pushing.
    • 80' Falcao tries to get past Abidal and Barcelona concede the corner.
    • 79' Barcelona change: Pedro has come on for Fabregas.
    • 78' First change of the match for Atletico, Salvio replaces Koke.
    • 77' Controversial! Sanchez is yellow carded for handball, but it hits his hand more than anything. The ball bounces around in the box and it's put in the net by Barcelona. They were unlucky.
    • 76' Messi with a delightful chip into the Atletico box, and Felipe is forced to concede the corner.
    • 75' Puyol swtiches the play to the left side, Iniesta plays the ball into the box but it's cleared by Atletico.
    • 74' Koke goes in the referee's book now. Atletico's fifth of the match.
    • 73' Finely poised? Understatement? Fascinating end to a wonderful day of football.
    • 72' Now, technically, two midfielders are playing at centre back for Barcelona. Busquets and Mascherano are there, with Abidal and Puyol either side to accomodate Cuenca on the right side of midfield.
    • 71' That's the last we'll see of Alves this evening, Cuenca, a midfielder, replaces him.
    • 70' Yellow card for Alves. The Brazilian pulls back Filipe. Atletico appealed for a red card, which is never a nice sight.
    • 69' Falcao is in on goal after a mistake from Mascherano and Abidal and he goes one on one with Valdes. He aims to chip the Barcelona goalkeeper, but it's a decent save.
    • 68' Barcelona showing their class now as they step up a gear in a flash.
    • 67' Busquets does well on the edge of the Atletico aream the ball comes to Alves who plays a stunning cross in which Messi stretches for, but the ball comes to Sanchez - just a few yards out he can't get his header on target. It was perhaps sitting up a little too high.
    • 66' Corner is swung in towards Miranda, and it's a free (ish) header for the defender. He can't get it on target.
    • 66' Adrian's persistance on Abidal forces the full back to concede a corner.
    • 65' Koke tries his luck down the right side but Mascherano gets his body in the way of the ball, and the midfielder concedes the foul.
    • 64' The pendulum has certainly swung in Atletico's favour in the opening 20 minutes on the half, where do you see this one going now? Thoughts: @rich_newman
    • 63' Alves is away again and takes it past two players, but Turan tracks back and it's a very good tackle on the Brazilian.
    • 62' It's getting physical out there. A quite fascinating tussle between Busquets and...everyone else.
    • 61' Yellow card for Tiago after bringing down Messi. The Argentine looked to be in full flow.
    • 60' Iniesta makes a good run into the Atletico box but he can't keep the ball in play.
    • 59' Classy defending by Abidal. The Frenchman controls on his chest in the box to clear, and then heads back to his goalkeeper for safety.
    • 58' Falcao is played through on goal by Turan and he's judged to be offside. The Columbian would have been one-on-one with Valdes. Replays show he was onside.
    • 57' Alves, though, continues to be a constant threat on the right side. He's regularly Barca's outlet, and his pace looks to bring fear into the Atletico defence.
    • 56' The pressure from Atletico is now leading to stray balls from Barcelona.
    • 55' Barcelona are looking to get back on top by playing the ball around on the ground, but Atletico are playing a high line and very advanced up the pitch, giving the visitors no time to get settled.
    • 54' Alves weaves his way into the box but can't get his shot on target.
    • 53' Atletico very much in the ascendancy, Barcelona look rattled.
    • 52' Barcelona's defence is all over the place, Felipe receives the ball from Koke and hits a shot which is blocked, and it's another corner, which is claimed by Valdes.
    • 51' Busquets fouls Juanfran, and it's fair to say he leaves his foot in. Whether it was intentional or not, we don't know, but he's perhaps lucky to get away with no booking.
    • 50' Barcelona look to respond straight away through Sanchez but Courtois claims the ball.
    • 49' Simeone will be delighted with the start his side have made in the second half.
    • 48' GOAL! Well they started the half the better, and Atletico have equalised! Lovely corner and Busquet's header is not good enough, it turns into a flick on and Falcao is there to volley in for the home side. 1-1, game on.
    • 48' Decent burst of pace from Adrian and he wins the corner for Atletico.
    • 47' 79% possession in the first half for Barcelona, but that won't really bother Atletico. The hosts will wait for their opportunity to counter, and hope to make the most of Falcao.
    • 46' Good start to the second period for the home side, as Adrian threatens down the left side. Eventually, Turan is offside.
    • 46' We're underway for the second half.
    • 45'+1 That's the half! Intriguing first period. Barcelona lead 1-0 but it looks like there's more goals in this one, and Atletico look threatening. Throw your thoughts on the match so far my way on Twitter: Follow: @rich_newman
    • 45'+1 Horrid challenge by Fabregas, who goes in very strongly on Juanfran after a tussle with the Atletico player. Seen players sent off for that this season. He gets away with just a yellow card.
    • 45' One minute of added time at the end of this first half.
    • 44' Barcelona continue to dominate possession.
    • 43' Filipe pushes Sanchez over and gets away with no booking. Barcelona take the free kick quicckly and look to build an attack. Alves gets to the goal-line but his cross is poor.
    • 42' Mascherano seems to be justifying his selection ahead of Pique. Composed and orchestrating the Barca defence. Atletico attempting to target his height.
    • 40' Turan leads the attack for Atletico and has options, but it's a wonderful recovering tackle from Alves.
    • 39' Turan, Adrian and Falcao are all very much on the same wavelength. Don't write them off yet.
    • 38' Decent response from Atletico, Turan is played in and attempts to cross for Falcao, but Valdes dives at the feet of the striker.
    • 37' Falcao plays in Turan, and he attempts to play the ball back to the Columbian, but it's cut out by Abidal.
    • 36' GOAL! Barcelona go 1-0 up and it's a lovely move. Messi turns quickly and plays the ball in to Fabregas, who plays the ball across goal and Dani Alves is there to tuck it away.
    • 35' Messi attempts to play the ball through into the box but the Atletico defence hold their line well.
    • 33' Very different styles from both sides, both seem to be as effective as each other. As a result they are cancelling each other out.
    • 32' Lovely through ball by Atletico and Falcao is on to it, but Valdes is alert and comes out to gather.
    • 31' Deep corner taken by Atletico, but it's too much for Godin, who can't get his header to go back across goal for a team mate to get on the end of it.
    • 30' Another yellow card for Atletico. This time it's Turan.
    • 29' Here come Atletico, impressive run from Filipe who plays the ball into the box but Falcao can't steady himself to take the shot.
    • 28' Adrian breaks away and gets the better of Abidal but it's a good recovery by the Barcelona defence. Busquets goes down theatrically under a challenge by Koke.
    • 27' Falcao tries a shot from outside the box but is falling at the same time and it's easy for Valdes.
    • 26' Possession in first 25 minutes? 86% in favour of Barcelona.
    • 25' Juanfran is the latest player to go into the book after going in late on Messi. Atletico need to cool it a little, as does Simeone, who is livid.
    • 24' Free kick taken towards Puyol, but the ball is too high for the defender to get his flowing locks on to it.
    • 23' Atletico are being crowded out in midfield by Barcelona. Iniesta plays in Sanchez but the Chilean can't continue his play into the box, so has to go wide. Godin flies in with a tackle, and is booked. Rash.
    • 21' Atletico counter after the Barca corner and commit their midfield to the attack, but it's a case of too many cooks, and the move breaks down.
    • 20' Great strike from Xavi who curls the ball over the wall towards the top corner, but the save is just as good from Courtois and it's out for a corner, which is wasted.
    • 20' Atletico have conceded a free kick in a dangerous position.
    • 19' Lionel Messi has been booked for handball more than any other player in La Liga this season. Via @OptaJose
    • 18' Abidal whips in a dangerous looking cross from the left side but Sanchez can't direct his header towards goal.
    • 17' Barcelona keen to just keep the ball and wait for their opportunities, but Atletico are standing firm.
    • 16' Alves tries to take the ball past Gabi but the Atletico captain concedes the free kick after blocking off the Brazilian.
    • 15' Barcelona have only won 4 out of 11 La Liga matches away from home this season. Has made a difference at the top of the table.
    • 14' Adrian looks in the mood for Atletico, and displays a neat piece of skill to get past Xavi and Busquets.
    • 13' Falcao is played through on goal and he's one on one with the goalkeeper, but he's just offside. By a fraction. The Colombian is a huge threat to the visitors tonight.
    • 13' Dani Alves tries to attack down the right side, but loses possession.
    • 12' Fabregas caught by Gabi, and he makes the most of the challenge but Barca don't make the most of the free kick.
    • 10' The goal difference of the top two compared to the rest of the league is quite staggering. Barca, in second are on +51 – Third placed Valencia are on +8. Huge difference.
    • 9' Fabregas bursts into the box but Miranda cleans up, forcing the foul from the former Arsenal man.
    • 8' Ball played forward to Alexis Sanchez, and the winger gets on the end of it, he plays it in to Messi who dances his way through the Atletico defence and chips the ball over Courtois. But the Argentine used his hand to control the ball, and picks up a yellow card.
    • 7' Since taking charge, Simeone’s side have conceded just two goals in nine matches.
    • 6' Cross comes in from Gabi, Valdes goes up to catch the ball but drops it whilst colliding with his own team-mate. The ball comes loose and Barca get away with it. Nervy moment for the goalkeeper.
    • 5' Atletico counter through Falcao and lays it off to Gabi, but the cross hits Busquets.
    • 4' Barcelona are playing the ball around on the deck, as is their usual style.
    • 3' First attack of the game for Atletico, as Falcao charges down a loose ball but Puyol mops up.
    • 2' Xavi takes a shot from outside the Atletico box, it bobbles across goal, Courtois looked like he'd lost his footing.
    • 1' We're under way at the Vicente Calderon. Atletico in their famous red and white stripes and blue shorts. Barcelona in their change strip of all black.
    • 20:29 Teams are doing the customary handshakes, we're minutes away from kick off in Madrid.
    • 20:27 OptaJose tells us the Vicente Calderon is the only stadium where Barcelona have lost more than once under Pep Guardiola. Intimidating for the visitors. @OptaJose
    • 20:26 Awaiting the teams to come out at the Vicente Calderon. The build up continues, follow on Twitter here: @rich_newman
    • 20:25 It’s been quite the start for Atletico manager Diego Simeone. The Argentine hasn’t lost a game since taking over, leading to speculation he could take over at former club Internazionale. He says he’s not keen: "I'm focused on Atletico and I think only of Atletico. I'm too young for Inter."
    • 20:20 Barca manager Pep Guardiola has been very complimentary of the work Diego Simeone has done since taking over at Atletico: “He has charisma and all the players are working hard for him. Dynamics are not easily changed mid-season, so he has succeeded. He has stamped his authority on the team. You must play better than them but also stop Falcao, the world's best penalty-box striker."
    • 20:19 On Twitter, @ATJaved predicts a 3-3 draw. We'd all love a few goals in this one. Keep the comments coming.
    • 20:18 Barcelona looked back to their best last weekend when they beat third place Valencia 5-1 at the Camp Nou. Just the four goals scored in that one by Lionel Messi.
    • 20:15 Atletico are one of the form teams in La Liga, they’ve not lost their last seven matches. They are without a win in their last three though.
    • 20:10 I'm sure you'll agree this has the potential to be a cracker to end a thoroughly entertaining day of football. Fire your pre-match comments my way via Twitter: @rich_newman
    • 20:07 So, no Pique for Barcelona, with Mascherano preferred.
    • 20:05 ATLETICO MADRID: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe, Tiago, Gabi, Arda, Adrian, Koke, Falcao. Subs: Asenjo, Suarez, Salvio, Assuncao, Silvio, Dominguez, Perea /// BARCELONA: Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Fabregas, Sanchez. Subs: Pinto, Pique, Thiago, Keita, Pedro, Adriano, Cuenca.
    • 20.00 Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona from the Vicente Calderon.

  • Summary

    • 89' Now Atletico win a free kick in a promising position just outside the Barceona box, it's played in and the ball falls to Juanfran who fires a shot at goal, but it's a stunning save from Valdes.
    • 81' GOAL! Stunning, simply stunning. Messi takes it left footed curling into the top right hand corner. Courtois stranded. Goal was sublime.
    • 69' Falcao is in on goal after a mistake from Mascherano and Abidal and he goes one on one with Valdes. He aims to chip the Barcelona goalkeeper, but it's a decent save.
    • 67' Busquets does well on the edge of the Atletico aream the ball comes to Alves who plays a stunning cross in which Messi stretches for, but the ball comes to Sanchez - just a few yards out he can't get his header on target. It was perhaps sitting up a little too high.
    • 58' Falcao is played through on goal by Turan and he's judged to be offside. The Columbian would have been one-on-one with Valdes. Replays show he was onside.
    • 48' GOAL! Well they started the half the better, and Atletico have equalised! Lovely corner and Busquet's header is not good enough, it turns into a flick on and Falcao is there to volley in for the home side. 1-1, game on.
    • 38' Decent response from Atletico, Turan is played in and attempts to cross for Falcao, but Valdes dives at the feet of the striker.
    • 36' GOAL! Barcelona go 1-0 up and it's a lovely move. Messi turns quickly and plays the ball in to Fabregas, who plays the ball across goal and Dani Alves is there to tuck it away.
    • 20' Great strike from Xavi who curls the ball over the wall towards the top corner, but the save is just as good from Courtois and it's out for a corner, which is wasted.
    • 6' Cross comes in from Gabi, Valdes goes up to catch the ball but drops it whilst colliding with his own team-mate. The ball comes loose and Barca get away with it. Nervy moment for the goalkeeper.
    • 20:05 ATLETICO MADRID: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe, Tiago, Gabi, Arda, Adrian, Koke, Falcao. Subs: Asenjo, Suarez, Salvio, Assuncao, Silvio, Dominguez, Perea /// BARCELONA: Valdes, Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Fabregas, Sanchez. Subs: Pinto, Pique, Thiago, Keita, Pedro, Adriano, Cuenca.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Atlético Madrid

    Manager: Diego Simeone

  • FC Barcelona

    Manager: Josep Guardiola

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.6 -
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 5.5 -
      Yellow Card 5.2 -
      Yellow Card 6 -
      5.8 -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.8 -
      Yellow Card 5.8 -
      6.3 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out77′ 5.7 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out86′ 6 -
      Strikers
      Goal Yellow Card 7.2 -
      Subs
      Substitution In77′ 4.1 -
      Substitution In86′ 2.7 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.1 -
      Defenders
      Goal Yellow Card Substitution Out72′ 6.5 -
      5.7 -
      6.6 -
      6.2 -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.8 -
      6.8 -
      6.8 -
      Strikers
      Yellow Card Substitution Out85′ 6.7 -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out77′ 6.7 -
      Goal Yellow Card 7.1 -
      Subs
      Substitution In85′ 5.2 -
      Substitution In77′ 5.7 -
      Substitution In72′ 5 -

Comment 90 - 109 of 109

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. Rulebooks, excuses, handball, more excuses, more­ explanations, more help and assistance, Barcelona are a­ bore.

    From Misi, on Wed 29 Feb 3:01

  2. i Love messi and barce

    From Shoaib, on Tue 28 Feb 4:02

  3. goood one barce and messi

    From Shoaib, on Tue 28 Feb 2:53

  4. 13 yellow cards!!! @#$%?

    From haris.bijedic, on Mon 27 Feb 23:52

  5. Not sure why Real fans are her gloating and criticizing­ Barca's performance. They played well and did it­ against a great opponent. Real was lucky to come up­ with any points from their match. Ramos and Pepe should­ have been both sent off and Rayo was given an unfair­ red to one of their players. I'm sorry to say but­ Real always resort to dirty tactics when they face an­ opponent that is actually capable of winning.

    From Suraya s, on Mon 27 Feb 19:25

  6. Well done Barca,good job Alves and Messi. @#$% Barca­ haters,@#$% Barca haters especially Real madrid fans

    From diana, on Mon 27 Feb 10:19

  7. 10 points are at least 4 games!! madrid have won 19 of­ their last 20 League Games!! it's meanless to you­ guys, but the true is that they just kept wining after­ every scaries and bad results against barça!

    From KhabraL, on Mon 27 Feb 8:16

  8. funny, 10 points seems nothing to you now, but when­ madrid started the winning row, they were behind barça­ in the table!! and yes, this season, barça's best­ league winning row is 3! even Levante has a better one­ than yours!
    in fact only madrid and Levante had more­ than 3 wins in a row in this La Liga's seasons!

    From KhabraL, on Mon 27 Feb 8:06

  9. wat makes you think barca fans are returning the favor­ ..LOL .. 10 points in not enough to sleep safe :) the­ catalans are coming !

    From samneuro, on Mon 27 Feb 7:15

  10. dont so worried madrid fan!real already 10 points­ lead..as you said real surely win the title so dont­ pray or wishing madrid will beat barca...win or loss­ you got 10 points lead...hahahahahaha..

    From skie, on Mon 27 Feb 7:14

  11. madrid has yet to face barça, and they might as well­ beat barça!! if ossasuna and getafe did it, why­ can't madrid?!
    it's 90 minutes of football­ where anyything can happen!! nothing is granted in­ football before it starts!!

    From KhabraL, on Mon 27 Feb 7:03

  12. handily Jealous!! yey very very very handy!!!!

    From KhabraL, on Mon 27 Feb 7:00

  13. @samneuro we're returning the favour... u'r­ wellcome! apart for from being madrid's fan, i also­ love to watch other teams play!! if many barça fans­ post at madrid's games, i would found very­ irracional not to retribute! it's the least i can­ do!! it's been i while since i last saw barca­ shutted down to their difensive zone!! it's a rare­ situation.

    From KhabraL, on Mon 27 Feb 6:47

  14. @ BARCA THUMBS UP!!!

    From skie, on Mon 27 Feb 6:45
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The Madrid trolls say odd things on this page. You will­ probably win La Liga. But don't count your chickens­ before they are hatched. The only shadow cast over­ Spain at the moment is Barca's 13 trophies out of­ the last 16 disputed. (Madrid has 1 in the same­ period.) This will no doubt change. The balance will­ tip the other way. But the ugly remarks that ignore­ these facts sound adolescent or just plain ignorant. Be­ happy that Madrid is having a good season. And good­ luck. But try a bit of that caballerosidad for which­ Madrid was so justly known in the last century.­ Don't let Mou turn you all into bitter whingers.

    From Joel, on Mon 27 Feb 6:42

  16. real madrid already lost the respect of the neutral­ fans and barca already recognised by ALL neutral fans­ as the BEST in the world and by some as the best ever

    From iloveyouallbut, on Mon 27 Feb 6:40

  17. Haha look at these jealous Madrid fans. There up by 10­ points and still talking trash. Just know that if­ Madrid do win the league, they did it without beating­ Barcelona.

    From Christian, on Mon 27 Feb 6:39
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Visca barca! @#$% ya'all haters no matter how you­ complain, it wont change the fact that barca won the­ match, the least you can do now is go 2 bed n sleep,­ uve got football lesson 2moro ..visca barca!!!

    From Bashir Abdullahi, on Mon 27 Feb 6:37
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    The referee seemed crazy erratic. Too strict, then too­ permissive. Non-existent handballs against Barca, then­ one ignored at a crucial moment. Non-existent offside­ against Atletico. Knocking and pushing from Atletico,­ but no one sent off, even though more than one expected­ it. At the end of the day, the erratic performance­ helps no one. It leaves the players not knowing what to­ expect next and it raises the temperature for no­ reason. The number of yellow cards is a sign of how­ over-physical and under-entertaining the match really­ was. Apart from a half-dozen moves when players got­ away from defenders trying to tug them down, the match­ was nothing to write home about.

    From Joel, on Mon 27 Feb 6:36

  20. Saidamir and other idiots go read the FIFA rule book -­ Free kicks can be taken anytime unless indicated by a­ refereee otherwise. He did not indicate to wait, hence­ Messi the Genius flipped a wonderful opportunity to cut­ the Madridistas lead back to 10.hhahahahahahahaah

    From Barca, on Mon 27 Feb 6:36
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account