Barcelona 1-0 Atletico: Xavi’s side hold out for three points after Ferran Torres’ first half opener

Barcelona all but sealed the Spanish title with a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid to move 11 points clear at the top of La Liga with just eight games to go. This was potentially their last big test and they passed it.

Ferran Torres got the goal just before half time converting Raphinha’s cross through the legs of Jose Gimenez and past Jan Oblak. It was enough for Barcelona and it didn’t matter that Robert Lewandowski missed a second half sitter.

The Polish striker who has only scored four goals since the turn of the year was put through and could either play in Raphinha or beat Marc Andre Ter Stegen himself. He ignored the Brazilian winger and then sent his shot wide.

His failure to score – it’s now just two goals in eight games – was the only downside in a convincing win in the sunshine for the league leaders.

Xavi has complained of having to play in the sunshine in the last few days but with the sun shining down on the Nou Camp he watched his team dominate the first half but still allow Atletico Madrid to have chances.

Ferran Torres’ well placed effort after 44 minutes handed Barcelona the lead at the Nou Camp

Barcelona have moved within touching distance of the LaLiga title with eight games to go 

Xavi continued Barcelona’s impressive streak against Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp 

The best of Atletico’s chances fell to Antoine Griezmann but Barca remained in control

Their best two efforts fell to Antoine Griezmann but his first effort came back off the crossbar and his second was saved by Ter Stegen. 

The German keeper kept his 23rd clean sheet of the season and he has still only let in nine goals all season.

This was Barcelona’s tenth 1-0 win of the season – they have learned to win in a way that Atletico often did the last time they won the title two seasons ago.

It was the first time Atletico Madrid had been beaten since the last time they played Barcelona. Barça had beaten Atletico 1-0 in January and then gone on a run of 13 games without a defeat. 

Simeone has never won at the Nou Camp as a coach and this was another disappointment.

Barcelona were also able to welcome back Pedri who came on for the last hour having not played since picking up an injury against Manchester United in the Europa League. Frenkie de Jong was also back after a month out.

Torres had the best Barça chance in the first half before he scored but he was denied by Oblak. In the second period it was Atletico who came closest but again Ter Stegen denied Griezmann.

Griezmann was unable to find the leveller for Atleti despite having multiple chances 

Marc-Andre ter Stegen put in an impressive display to claim his 23rd clean sheet of the season

Robert Lewandowski had opportunities to extend Barca’s lead, but one goal was enough

This time it was a back-heel flick from the Frenchman with the shocking pink mop-top but Ter Stegen again made the save. 

Griezmann did not deserve to be on the losing side but his former club saw out time and celebrated at the end as if they league had been won – it probably has.

‘He’s the best goalkeeper in the world,’ said Xavi after the game. ‘He commands his area, he makes the stops, he has been very decisive all season. We deserved to win the game by a greater margin.’

Asked about the celebration from his players on the pitch at the end, Xavi added: ‘they were celebrating the win not the league, there is still work to be done.’