- Atletico Madrid hosted La Liga leaders Barcelona at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday
- Diego Costa headed home a Griezmann corner for his first ever goal against Barcelona
- Substitute Ousmane Dembele netted in stoppage time to send the game to a 1-1 draw
Super-sub Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to score a 90th-minute leveler to save Barcelona from defeat against Atletico Madrid in a tough La Liga clash on Saturday, November 24, at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The encounter saw the center referee splash out eight yellow cards to help check the two sides as they battled all though the match.
Diego Costa headed home the opener from an Antoine Griezmann corner kick to hand the home side the lead just before the 80-minute mark, but Dembele netted on 90 minute to save Barcelona from their second straight defeat in days.
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The result sees Barcelona remain at the top spot of the La Liga log, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid on the second and two ahead of Sevilla, who could see off both teams into first position with a win against Real Valladolid on Sunday.
Diego Costa headed home the opener from an Antoine Griezmann corner kick to hand the home side the lead just before the 80-minute mark, but Dembele netted on 90 minute.
Barcelona were finding tough to open up Atletico in the early stages with Lionel Messi forced to fall deep as the home side took the game to their guests.
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Sergi Roberto could not convert on the 21st minute as he failed to chip a cross over Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The home side had their moments on the break, but after 35 minutes made a positive impact in the game.
Messi tested Oblak from a free kick in the 40th minute, but his strike was off target, as the referee called for the break.
Interestingly, Barcelona ended the first stanza with 10 men after Roberto suffered what looked like a hamstring injury, but his substitution was confirmed at the commencement of the second stanza.
Antoine Griezmann had a clear way to the goal but Barcelona defenders were on hand to stop the Frenchman.
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On the 64th minute, Vitolo came in for Thomas Lemar as Diego Simeone tried to bring more life to his midfield, but nothing came out as the two sides held on.
The VAR was called into play for a penalty appeal after it appeared Arturo Vidal touch the ball inside the penalty box, but after the ref’s checks play was allow to continue.
But two minutes later they scored from Costa’s headed effort from Griezmann.
Messi had a late free kick saved by Atletico crossbar as the Barcelona searched for the leveler.
After the miss, the finally Argentine set up substitute Dembele, whose strike at goal needed a deflection from Lucas Hernandez to beat Obiak.
At the end of the final whistle scorers stood at 1-1 as the spoils were shared.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously had reported that Barcelona suffered their second La Liga defeat following their 4-3 loss to struggling Real Betis at the Camp Nou.
Junior Firpo opened scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute after connecting with William Carvalho's pass.
Coach Quique Setién's men doubled their lead through Joaquín in the 37th minute with Cristian Tello setting up the goal the away team.
Barca reduced their deficit in the 68th minute through a Lionel Messi's penalty kick, but three minutes later Giovani Lo Celso increased his side's lead.
Former Blaugrana star, Tello with his second assist of the night as Betis ensured they maintain their two goal lead in the game.
Real Betis took advantage of their numerical strength just two minutes after red card was shown to Rakitic to make the scores 4-2 in the 83rd minute - Sergio Canales the goal scorer.
Messi completes his brace in the game after netting his side's third goal but it wasn't enough to rescue them from their second defeat of this season.
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