La Liga: Barcelona Stay at Top With 3-1 Win Over Atletico Madrid

Barcelona produced an impressive comeback to beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and move four points clear at the top of La Liga.

Alex Baena fired Atletico ahead on Tuesday, but Raphinha equalised for the champions before Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres slotted home to end the visitors’ run of 13 straight league games without defeat.

Barca might have been more comfortable had Robert Lewandowski not ballooned a first-half penalty over the bar.

This was Barca’s fifth consecutive La Liga win after losing the El Clasico against Madrid in October, but they have not shone consistently in that period, and coming against a title rival, this display gave Flick’s side a welcome boost.

They were without defender Ronald Araujo, who is taking a mental health break, according to Spanish reports, along with ill midfielder Frenkie de Jong and the longer-term absentees.

Real Madrid, who are second, visit Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, aiming to peg Barca back, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico are fourth, six points behind the Catalans.

- By Al Jazeera Staff and News Agencies