Argentine forward Lionel Messi scored a late winner as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid to move top of La Liga.
Rafinha gave Barca the lead when Luis Suarez – who had an effort ruled out – took a shot which ricocheted off two defenders to land at his feet.
Diego Godin levelled when he headed home Koke’s free-kick.
But Messi pounced in the 86th minute to win the game for the champions after his initial effort was blocked by defender Stefan Savic.
Real Madrid, who have two games in hand, will go back to the top if they beat Villarreal at 19:45 GMT.
86 min: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL!!!!! #Messi gives Barça the lead! ???????
ATM 1-2 FCB #FCBLive #AtletiFCB #ForçaBarça! pic.twitter.com/aGRsodmXWT
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 26, 2017
Atleti, the 2014 champions, are now nine points off top spot.
Messi is Barca’s saviour again
Barca were far from their best again, but they have now followed their 4-0 Champions League humbling by Paris St-Germain with two 2-1 victories in La Liga – with Messi scoring a late winner in each of them.
Atletico dominated the first half, with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen making a multitude of saves.
The visitors improved after the break but looked destined to be held until Messi’s late intervention.
The Argentine, who had earlier forced a brilliant Jan Oblak save from a free-kick, pounced late on again from close range.
Luis Suarez played the ball back to Messi, whose first shot was blocked by Savic.
But he remained alert to poke home the rebound and send Barca top – for four hours at least.
That was Messi’s 20th La Liga goal in 21 games this season – and his 21st against Atletico in the league in as many attempts.
