La Liga, Round 31: Atletico win to stay ahead of Barcelona and Real

But their lead didn’t last long, with Atleti hitting back just 16 minutes later. Diego Costa was the scorer, hitting a composed finish to the far post from 12 yards, but the pass from Koke might have been even better than the shot that finished off the move.

Costa would remain dangerous heading into the second half, but couldn’t find a winner, though he was robbed of a penalty in the 50th minute. Not long after missing a golden chance, he cut into the Athletic penalty area with the ball again, and this time was hauled down by Aymeric Laporte. It was a stonewall penalty, but the referee saw nothing.

Hector Moreno of Espanyol picked up an injury in the first half and was subbed off for Sidnei, but the change didn’t hurt the hosts, who continued to defend well and hold onto their clean sheet deep into the second half. But the match turned around in the 75th minute, when Javi Lopez was whistled for a handball in the box. It looked like an unintentional touch and a case of ball-to-hand rather than the inverse, but Lopez’s hand was above his waist and the referee pointed to the spot. Characteristically, Messi buried the penalty.

Espanyol: Casilla (red card 83’), Colotto, Fuentes, Moreno (Sidnei 46’), J. Lopez, D. Lopez, Sanchez, Stuani, Simao (Cordoba 78’), Garcia, Pizzi (Alex 66’)