BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up two more for Neymar and Luis Suarez as Barcelona beat defending champions Atletico Madrid 3-1 today, rejuvenating their Spanish football league title bid amid a chaotic week for the Catalan club.
Stifled by Atletico in six winless meetings last season, Messi shredded its vaunted defence with run after run, passing for Neymar to score in the 12th and for Suarez to double the lead at Camp Nou in the 35th.
Messi was guilty of also setting up Atletico’s goal in the 57th when he fouled Jesus Gamez in the area, allowing Mario Mandzukic to score from the spot.
But the star forward finished off the visitors with a goal three minutes from time.
Barcelona took control of second place with 41 points, one point behind leaders Real Madrid who have a game in hand. Atletico are third with 38.