FC Barcelona managed to win in the final minutes against Atlético Madrid (2-1), widening the gap at the top of La Liga over Real Madrid, who were defeated by Mallorca on Saturday in the 30th round.
Atlético scored first through Giuliano Simeone (39th minute) before being equalized by Marcus Rashford (42nd minute) and reduced to ten men after Nico Gonzalez was sent off before halftime. Shortly after coming on, Robert Lewandowski (87th minute) secured the victory for the league leaders (76 points), now seven points ahead of Real Madrid (2nd, 69 points). Barcelona and Atlético will meet again on Wednesday in Catalonia for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals (return leg on April 14).
Real Madrid’s setback
Real Madrid fell to Mallorca on Saturday in La Liga (2-1), despite Kylian Mbappé starting. Surprised by a swift run and shot from Spanish midfielder Manu Morlanes just before halftime (42nd minute, 1-0), the Whites thought they had salvaged a draw with a header from Brazilian defender Eder Militao (88th minute, 1-1) after four months out. However, they conceded again in stoppage time to a clear pivot shot from Kosovo striker Vedat Muriqi (90th+1 minute, 2-1) that beat Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, standing in for Thibaut Courtois who was injured.
French forward Kylian Mbappé, starting for the first time since late February and his left knee injury, had the best chances of the game but was repeatedly denied by the inspired opposition goalkeeper Leo Roman (23rd, 25th, 55th minutes). “For me, it was easier to see how tough this match was going to be. What’s harder is for the players to understand that today, without giving 200%, we weren’t going to be able to win,” reacted Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, stating that this fifth league defeat of the season was “on him”.
