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Football Soccer - Barcelona v Atletico Madrid- Spanish Liga BBVA - Camp Nou stadium, Barcelona - 30/1/16 Barcelona’s Luis Suarez
celebrates with team mate Lionel Messi after scoring a goal
Reuters: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored the goals as Barcelona came from behind to beat nine-man Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Nou Camp on Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash that sent them three points clear in La Liga.
Atletico went ahead in the 10th minute through Koke but Messi equalised for Barca following a fine team move on the half hour.
Suarez struck his 31st goal in as many games after 38 minutes and a wild challenge from Filipe Luis on Messi earned the Atletico defender a red card before halftime.
Diego Godin was also sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle on Suarez midway through the second half.
“We knew it would be a difficult game and we are happy with three points against a direct opponent,” keeper Claudio Bravo told reporters.
“There is still a long way to go in the championship. We are going well at the moment in all the tournaments and it is good to get a win even though we were not at our best.”
Barcelona moved on to 51 points, three ahead of Atletico, and have a game in hand.