Atlético Madrid needed just a draw at the Camp Nou on Saturday, and thanks to a headed goal from Diego Godín early in the second half, they got just that. It was enough to hold on for a 1-1 draw, and allow Atléti to celebrate their first La Liga title since 1996.
Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid: Final score 1-1, Diego Godín’s equalizer gives Atléti the title
An equalizer early in the second half was enough for Atléti to earn their first league title since 1996.
Alex Livesey
It’s the first time a visiting side has ever clinched the league title at the Camp Nou.
Barcelon got the game's first good chance in the 7th minute when Adriano decided to test Thibaut Courtois with a hard shot from distance. The fullback's show was low to the ground, and went through some traffic as it entered the box from the left side, but the Atléti goalkeeper was up to the task, leaving no rebound for the lurking attackers.
Diego Costa’s day lasted just 14 minutes, as the Atléti striker pulled up making a run and immediately went down grabbing his leg. Not wanting to risk any further injury, Diego Simeone made the substitution, bringing on Adrián in his place.
Less than ten minutes later, Arda Turan was forced to leave the match after injuring his hip.
Barca came close to opening the scoring in the 26th minute when Dani Alves picked out Pedro near the far post with a wonderful cross. Pedro found a rare pocket of space between the Atléti defenders, but his header was off target, soaring over the crossbar.
In the 33rd minute, Alexis Sánchez scored a stunning goal, launching a ball from the right side of the box that skipped off the inside of the post and into the back of the net. Sánchez placed the ball in just about the only place that Courtois didn’t have covered, with so much pace that there was no chance for the keeper to react.
While Atléti couldn’t find an equalizer before the halftime break, they definitely looked more like themselves in the closing minutes of the first half. Los Colchoneros were able to put Barca under heavy pressure, earning several corners, and at least giving themselves something positive to build on after the break.
Atléti’s positive play continued right out of the locker room as David Villa came ever so close to finding the equalizer, hammering a shot past Pinto and off the post.
The pressure was intense and in the 49th minute, after earning yet another corner, the equalizer arrived. Gabi’s out-swinging corner kick was well placed, and Atléti’s big central defender Diego Godín took advantage of some space in front of goal, powering a header past Pinto to make it 1-1.
The injury bug struck again, this time on Barca. Sergio Busquets was forced to leave the match in the 57th minute after a hard landing caused him discomfort in either his hip or back.
It appeared that Lionel Messi had put Barcelona back in front in the 64th minute, but his powerful short-range finish on a loose ball in the box was ruled offside. Replays showed it was the correct call.
Atléti held off a furious late surge from Barca, defending with their usual skill and earning the draw.
Barcelona: Pinto, Adriano, Mascherano, Piqué, Alves, Busquets (Song 57’), Iniesta, Fàbregas (Xavi 76’), Pedro (Neymar 62’), Messi, Sánchez
Goals: Sánchez (33’)
Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Godín, Miranda, Juanfran, Tiago, Gabi, Turan (García 23'), Koke, David Villa, Diego Costa (Adrián 16' (Sosa 72'))
Goals: Godin (49’)
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