Almighty Oblak denies wasteful Barcelona, Sorloth lands knockout punch | OneFootball

Jan Oblak delivered one of the best goalkeeping performances this season, setting the groundwork for Atletico Madrid’s last-gasp 2-1 win against Barcelona.

Hansi Flick’s side sought amends following a heart-wrenching 1-0 home defeat to newcomers Leganes last Sunday.

Despite only winning once in their last six league outings, Barcelona came into proceedings in a buoyant mood.

Bidding to post a sixth consecutive league victory against Los Colchoneros for the first time since 2013, Barca asserted control from the get-go.

Unfazed by a dreadful form against the Catalan powerhouse, Atletico boasted a scintillating 11-game winning streak before the kick-off.

With Barcelona desperately pursuing three points and Atletico in fine form, the stage looked set for a spectacle.

However, fans had to wait until the 22nd minute for the first presentable scoring chance.

After a failed attempt to win a penalty, Raphinha whipped the ball from the resulting corner towards Inigo Martinez.

Although the veteran defender had a goal at his mercy, his feeble effort from a promising position posed no threat to Oblak, who pulled off a comfortable save.

Only three minutes later, Gavi’s free header from a few yards out flew a whisker wide of the right post.

Diego Simeone’s charges couldn’t gain a foothold in the game, and it was only a matter of time before the home side would find the net.

Barcelona made a well-deserved breakthrough at the half-hour mark through Pedri.

An intricate passage of play between Pedri and Gavi left Atletico’s backline puzzled, setting the former one-on-one with Oblak.

The Spanish midfielder left the Slovenian helpless, finishing with aplomb to fire Flick’s side in front.

Fermin Lopez squandered a clear-cut chance to put daylight between the teams early in the second half.

Oblak thwarted his close-range shot with a diving save to keep Atletico in the game.

In addition to Oblak’s heroics, the woodwork denied Barca on the stroke of the hour mark.

Pedri chipped the ball over the top for Raphinha, who tried to poke it over the Atletico goalkeeper, but the crossbar scuppered his hopes.

Little did the Brazilian winger know his nonchalant finish would backfire on the hosts only a few minutes later.

Up-and-coming Marc Casado refused to clear the ball after Julian Alvarez’s wayward pass.

He tried to be clever, going for a back-heel flick, only to set up Rodrigo De Paul for the equaliser.

The Argentine was ruthless from the edge of the box, sending his well-taken low effort into the far bottom corner.

Barcelona continued to dominate possession but couldn’t create much after relinquishing the lead.

Atletico’s patience nearly paid off in the 77th minute as second-half substitute Alexander Sorloth teenage midfielder Pablo Barrios spurned a glorious opportunity.

He got on the receiving end of a defence-splitting pass, yet Barca keeper Inaki Pena performed a brilliant leg save to avert the danger.

Barcelona could’ve punished Barrios’ miss twice in two minutes.

Pedri picked out Raphinha in space with a superb half-volley, yet the Blaugrana skipper failed to beat Oblak from an acute angle.

A minute later, the 31-year-old stopper made another miraculous save to parry Pedri’s shot from just outside the six-yard box away.

Los Rojiblancos made Barcelona pay for their wastefulness as second-half substitutes Nahuel Molina and Alexander Sorloth combined to hand the visitors a precious triumph.

The Norwegian striker showed composure and excellent finishing skills to turn Molina’s laser-sharp cross home in the 96th minute.

Oblak’s incredible performance between the sticks inspired Atletico to a hard-fought victory at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, extending Barcelona’s winless league record without Lamine Yamal.

Atletico stretched their winning run to 12 games, ascending the league throne at the expense of Flick’s downtrodden side.