Barcelona had to work hard for all three points against a resilient 10-man Atletico Madrid as late goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez earned them all three points.
Atletico Madrid took the game to their hosts from the word go, but saw their challenge faltering when Diego Costa was sent off just before the half hour mark for a verbal altercation with the referee. The visitors though, resiliently defended for the next hour or so, while looking dangerous when the odd chance presented itself.
Jan Oblak stood bravely between Barcelona and goal, but his and Atletico Madrid’s resistance finally gave way with five minutes left in regulation time. By then, it was clear that it would take something special for the La Liga champions to find their way past Oblak and it was Luis Suarez who produced such a special moment.
The Uruguayan striker unleashed a perfect long-range curler that the Atletico Madrid custodian had no chance of saving. And, two minutes later, the win was rounded off as Lionel Messi finished off a counter-attacking move from the resulting kick-off. Unsurprisingly, Messi and Suarez were the players that Barcelona fans hailed post the crucial result.
Suarez is that kind of player that will have you pull out your hair during a match but in the end you’ll thank your lucky star that he plays for your team. pic.twitter.com/H3Yzw1Peyh
— De ara Torres (@dearatorres) April 6, 2019
Two goals in two minutes. Suarez and Messi ladies and gentleman.
Greatest duo of all time for a reason. Performaning week in, week out. pic.twitter.com/jmoCvfS93e
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 6, 2019
This Messi clinic was phenomenal pic.twitter.com/W6PZC776j4
— ? (@azexm) April 6, 2019
Oblak at the 80th min: I am going away with a clean sheet from Camp Nou.
Suarez and Messi:pic.twitter.com/ZaJzvYGeYT
— PS (@expartedecree) April 6, 2019
Barcelona vs Villareal:
90′ Goal Messi
90’+3 Goal Suarez4 days later..
Barcelona vs Atletico:
85′ Goal Suarez
86′ Goal MessiUnbelievable duo. pic.twitter.com/cHgSQhdt0V
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 6, 2019
OLD IS GOLD is the NEW Phenomenon in Football
Luis #Suárez silenced his critics by scoring back to back match winning goals within 6 days in the #LaLigaSantander Matchday 30 & 31
And Lionel #Messi is as Usual the King of #FCBarcelona #BarçaAtleti 2-0 https://t.co/pHwvQlgoSI
— ?Pluviophile? (@ReposarEnPaz) April 6, 2019
Messi and Suárez together (53) have scored more goals than 18 of the other 19 Liga teams.
THAT is why Messi sits in the front seat of Suárez’s car. I don’t see his wife putting up similar numbers ??♂️. pic.twitter.com/9H3Va7UG9X
— totalBarça (@totalBarca) April 6, 2019
? | 53 goals between Messi and Suarez this season… ??? pic.twitter.com/JH8X1Gz8hi
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) April 6, 2019
Finished suarez > your striker. Hth pic.twitter.com/Kn121kRKAs
— DIVYANSH (@just_a_cule) April 6, 2019
Literally me every time Messi touches the ball: pic.twitter.com/CWYNfKwX1I
— Nina ? (@ninellecule) April 6, 2019
Meanwhile, records and early title celebrations were on the minds of Barcelona fans, as Ernesto Valverde’s men created an 11-point lead atop the table and Messi became the individual player with the most wins in La Liga.
Messi in supreme form this season… Another game, another goal… Barcelona have sealed La Liga title with that win for sure… It’s the year of Treble for Barcelona… ?❤?❤?
Great efforts by Oblak in goal…???? #BarçaAtleti #LaLigaSantander #LaLiga #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/RS4PVUb6rc
— Apurva Tripathi (@aptr1311) April 6, 2019
Record breaker.
3️⃣3️⃣5️⃣ league wins for the ?.#DareToCreate pic.twitter.com/t7vJi9mVo3— Team Messi (@TeamMessi) April 6, 2019
Messi’s 10th Liga title.
Delivered. pic.twitter.com/VZfC0kZHZB
— Lucas Resende (@lucasrpsol) April 6, 2019
RECORD: Messi has now the most wins in La Liga history. pic.twitter.com/mqktKJYn97
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 6, 2019
Finally, fans did not forget about two of the best performers for Barcelona on the night – Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet.
That Pique & Lenglet defensive partnership should never be tampered with.
— emeka_o (@okolizmaine) April 6, 2019
Another immense performance from Piquè and Lenglet. They really do deserve all the appreciation this season. Brilliant consistency shown from both of our CB’s. Love them.
— Magisterial Lionel (@kumbharejatin) April 6, 2019
I love Umtiti but currently there is no way that he can get back in the starting 11 given how brilliant Pique and Lenglet are playing together atm.
— t10_mario (@My_plug_is_off) April 6, 2019