It was first against second when Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to the Nou Camp on Sunday.
Atletico took the lead after 31 minutes when Radamel Falcao converted from close range, but goals from Adriano and Sergio Busquets put Barcelona ahead at the break.
Atletico continued to push in the second period, but Lionel Messi all but wrapped up the points with a third for Barcelona before the hour mark, before scoring his second late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! The tie of the weekend is upon us as leaders Barcelona welcome second-placed Atletico Madrid to the Nou Camp. Atletico have won 12 of their 15 league matches this season, a run of form that would have seen them top the table at this stage in most of the previous seasons. But Barcelona have incredibly won 14 of their 15 matches, with the singular draw coming against Real Madrid.
Victory for Barcelona this evening would open up an 13-point gap over Real Madrid - who have just drawn with Espanyol - in third and a nine-point space over Atletico. It cannot be said that the race for the title is over before we hit January, but is it really possible for Barcelona to lose at least three matches without Atletico slipping up in the latter stages of the season? It would be difficult to imagine.
Tonight also sees two of the best strikers in world football clash at the Nou Camp. Lionel Messi, who has now scored 88 goals in the calendar year, has 23 league goals to his name this season. Meanwhile, Radamel Falcao struck five goals against Deportivo La Coruna last time out to take his total to 16 league goals for the season.
Teams:
Barcelona: Valdes; Adriano, Pique, Puyol, Alba; Sergio, Xavi, Iniesta; Pedro, Sanchez; Messi
Atletico: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Mario, Gabi, Arda, Koke; Costa, Falcao
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. I am backing a 2-2 draw this evening. Atletico will be keen to put on a better display than they did at Real Madrid a couple of weeks ago. Barcelona get the action underway.
Decent start from Barcelona with the Catalan outfit dominating possession as expected. It’s bright work from Lionel Messi as he attempts to feed Pedro in a wide position, but Miranda comes across to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that Falcao needs to have a big match for the away side.
Half-chance comes to the away side this time as Diego Costa collects a high pass from Koke before turning in the penalty area, but the danger is cleared for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Arda Turan, but Gerard Pique rises highest in the box to clear the danger.
Neither side has really managed to settle in the opening stages of the match with each exchanging spells of possession in midfield. Barcelona have shaded the passing statistics, but they have been guilty of a couple of loose passes thus far.
Atletico attempt to get Falcao involved in the match as Gabi searches out the Colombian striker, but he cannot collect and Puyol is on hand to clear the danger. Atletico have started the match better than they started at Real Madrid a few weeks ago. They have come to play this evening that is for certain.
POST! Atletico come within a whisker of taking the lead as Falcao meets a cross from Turan, but it thumps the inside of the post and somehow stays out of the back of the net. You just get the feeling that he will have some sort of say in this match this evening.
Again it's decent work from the away side as Costa finds Falcao with a header, but the striker just cannot sort out his feet and Puyol thumps clear. Just signs that Atletico are starting to take a period of control. They look a really polished well-drilled outfit in the opening 12 minutes.
Barcelona attempt to regain a period of control as they Xavi and Sergio Busquets pass possession around in midfield. However, they have been unable to get the likes of Sanchez and Pedro into the match. I am not going to say Messi is not in the match. Because Messi always is. I have said it too often and he scores moments later.
Atletico are so well-drilled this evening, however, with Mario Suarez and Gabi sitting in front of their back four and refusing to move. A half-chance comes to the home side as Sanchez collects possession out wide, but he cannot drift inside with Juanfran closing the door.
Atletico continue to impress with Costa causing problems with his physical presence, but he has failed to find Falcao thus far. Barcelona advance down the other end with Alba, but his cross is blocked by Miranda. The resulting set piece is taken by Xavi, but once more the danger is cleared.
Slightly untidy period to the match at the moment with both sides pressing and forcing the other into passing mistakes. Barcelona are the side controlling the tempo, but they have been unable to create any real chances of note thus far. Meanwhile, Sanchez and Pedro have been almost non-existent.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Messi is felled outside the penalty area. However, the set piece from the Argentine is straight into the wall and Atletico clear the danger. But Falcao cannot collect and the pressure continues. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining and we remain 0-0.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the away side to take the lead as Falcao bursts through on goal, but he cannot turn his effort into the back of the net and it moves wide of the post. What a chance. But Atletico continue to threaten on the break.
Another half-chance for Atletico as they force a corner through Gabi, the delivery is whipped in towards Godin, but Adriano manages to make a fine clearance. Barcelona are under pressure at the moment make no mistake about that. Atletico are winning the tactical battle as we stand.
Another free kick for Barcelona just outside the penalty area creates an opening to take the lead. However, Messi can only fire over the crossbar. He has not been at his best in this match this far. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining and the score remains 0-0. It is so delicately poised.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Atletico Madrid (Falcao)
Oh my word! Simply stunning from Falcao as the striker collects a pass from Gabi before driving into the penalty area and chipping over Victor Valdes. That is a finish of the highest order. He now has 18 goals for the season.
Tactically Atletico have been stunning in this opening 33 minutes of football. They have had three chances to take the lead, with the latest taken by their wonderful striker. Barcelona have not been in this match in the past five or so minutes. What a story we could have on the cards this evening.
Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining and Atletico continue to frustrate the life out of their Catalan opponents. Granted the home side are enjoying plenty of the ball, but they simply cannot pick holes in the Atletico defence. It is such a fascinating contest.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid (Adriano)
Wow. What a terrific goal. Barcelona needed some sort of inspiration and it has been provided by Adriano as the Brazilian collects the ball outside the penalty area before curling an effort into the top corner.
This match did not need any hype. It has been stunning thus far. Stunning. It was going to take something like that for Barcelona to get back into this game. But make no mistake about it Atletico will not sit back and absorb here. They have come for the three points.
Barcelona have just started to gain the upper hand since equalising and suddenly look the side capable of taking a lead before the interval. But with the pace and power of Falcao, the away side are such a threat on the counter. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe as they enjoy possession in and around the Atletico penalty area, but the away side continue to stand strong before attempting to find Falcao. Costa has been a good foil for the Colombian thus far, but he has struggled on the ball.
Half-chance for Barcelona to take the lead as Adriano finds Pedro in the penalty area, but it was just too high for the Spaniard and he couldn't make contact. How good has Adriano been in this first period? He also has five league goals to his name this season. Meanwhile, Messi is once more chopped down just outside the Barcelona box.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid (Busquets)
Barcelona take the lead moments before the interval as Busquets collects a loose pass inside the penalty area before stepping inside and firing into the top corner. Talk about a calm piece of play. That is wonderful.
Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Atletico took the lead via Falcao, but goals from Adriano and Busquets have given Barcelona a half-time lead. Join us again in 15 minutes for the second period of action. Until then!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Atletico get the action underway. There has been a change at the interval with Filipe Luis being replaced by Cata Diaz. It appears that they may line up with a three-man defence.
Half-chance for Atletico in the early stages of the second period as Koke fires a free kick into the Barcelona box, but Pique rises highest to clear the danger. The home side launch an immediate attack in the shape of Messi, but the little Argentine is chopped down in his prime.
You just get the feeling that the next goal in this match could ultimately decide the result. If Barcelona move 3-1 ahead then it is difficult to see Atletico clawing their way back into the game. No real chances for either side in the second period thus far.
Atletico really are under some serious pressure at the moment with Barcelona passing and probing in and around their penalty area. Adriano is playing as a right midfielder at the moment with Pique, Puyol and Alba in defence. Surely there will be more goals as the second half advances.
Again Barcelona come close to adding their third as Adriano drives a low cross into the penalty area, but it just would not fall for Pedro and Juanfran is on hand to clear the danger. Really important period of the match coming up with Barcelona putting a vast amount of pressure on the Atletico defence.
Stunning football once more from the home side with Iniesta and Xavi combining on the edge of the box, but the latter's pass just would not fall for Messi. Meanwhile, Atletico make their second change of the evening as Adrian Lopez replaces Mario Suarez.
A midfield player for an attacker? Will Atletico go three in attack here or will Adrian move to the right in order to make a four? We will keep a close eye on that. Little over 30 minutes of football to play at the Nou camp and Barcelona still lead 2-1. And they continue to boss this half.
Barcelona 3-1 Atletico Madrid (Messi)
Simply stunning from Messi as the Argentine collects possession inside the penalty area before driving his effort into the bottom corner. That is 89 goals for the calendar year. What on earth can you say about that?
Half-chance for Atletico to get straight back into the match as Falcao meets a cross from Gabi, but the whistle was blown for a handball in the area and play is restarted with Valdes. Meanwhile, third and final change for Atletico as Costa is replaced by Tiago.
It is all Barcelona at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the Atletico half. I just cannot see any possible way how Atletico get back into this match. This performance this evening has shown how far the home side are ahead of every other team in this league.
Strange atmosphere inside the ground with little under 30 minutes of football remaining. Half-chance for Atletico to get back into the match as Adrian finds Falcao in the penalty area, but Adriano comes across to clear the danger. Should the away side score in the next 10 or so minutes then it would set up some finish.
It would probably be fair to state that Barcelona have not been at their best this evening. But they lead 3-1 against their nearest rivals. What can seriously be said about that? What happens when they turn it on? They will win the Spanish league this season, but they will also be some force in the Champions League.
It must be said that there is no real atmosphere inside the ground this evening, which is a shame at this stage of the match. It is almost as if the home supporters feel that their side has already picked up the three points. They are probably right, but all it takes is one goal for the away side.
Another half-chance for Barcelona to add their fourth of the evening as Xavi fires a searching free kick into the penalty area, but Gabi is on hand to head clear. Meanwhile, it appears that the Catalan outfit are readying David Villa for the action.
It is hard to criticise Atletico this evening, they have just been beaten by a better side. Excuse the beaten, but I just cannot see any possible way how they get back into this match. It is a shame that they have met Barcelona in such clinical fashion. They haven't had a host of chances, but they have taken those on offer.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances in the past few minutes. Barcelona are enjoying all of the possession as they continue to pass and probe in the Atletico half. However, the move breaks down with Sanchez. The Chilean winger has just struggled for form this season.
Barcelona make their second change of the match as Sanchez is replaced by Thiago. Little under 15 minutes of action remaining and the home side are knocking it around like they would on a Monday morning at their training base. It is a shame for the match that the third goal came early in the second period.
It is incredible how Barcelona continue to find space wherever they are situated on the pitch. The crowd lets out the biggest cheer of the evening as Puyol sprints to the side of the pitch just to keep a ball in play. They love their captain in this part of the world. Everyone is a member of the family.
Barcelona make their final change of the evening as Villa eventually joins the party in place of Pedro. Still no goal for the winger but he really has worked his socks off this evening. He is another member of the squad who is loved in this part of the world.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side to add number four as Iniesta's effort takes a big deflection off Miranda, but Courtois makes a wonderful save to keep the score down. He is going to be a top goalkeeper. Either in Spain or at his parent club Chelsea.
Another half-chance for Barcelona to add their fourth of the evening as Thiago combines with Villa outside the penalty area, but Godin just steps out to clear the danger. The home supporters are in good voice as we enter the final five minutes of the match.
Better from the away side in the final stages of this match with Falcao and Turan combining on the edge of the penalty area. The ball eventually finds its way to Adrian, but Adriano steps across to clear the danger. The Brazilian has been sensational this evening.
Barcelona make their final change of the evening as Adriano is replaced by Dani Alves. Not a bad sub to bring on I suppose? You can only laugh. It is that or cry. How on earth can this team be stopped this season? Especially over two legs in the major competitions.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Atletico Madrid (Messi)
Just the one goal for Messi? Messi does not do one goal! He pounces on a loose pass from Godin to score his second goal of the match from close range. He has now scored two goals in each of his last six league matches. That is 90 for the calendar year.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the match. Atletico will want this to be brought to an end as soon as possible.
Barcelona go in search of their fifth in the latter stages as Villa strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but it just moves wide of the post. Little under 30 seconds of football remaining here.
Barcelona 4-1 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Messi scores twice once more as Barcelona move nine points clear at the top of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and look out for my analysis and team of the week in the next hour or so. Until then!
