Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona to set up Spanish Super Cup final clash with rivals Real Madrid
Barcelona 2-3 Atletico Madrid: Late goals helped Diego Simeone's side come from behind to book a place in Sunday's final
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Atletico Madrid pulled off a stunning turnaround to beat Barcelona 3-2 in an enthralling Spanish Super Cup tie in Saudi Arabia and book their place in the final of the revamped competition where they will face Real Madrid.
Argentine forward Angel Correa struck the decisive goal in the 86th minute to complete an unlikely late comeback for Atletico after Barca had dominated the second half and had two goals ruled out following VAR reviews.
Substitute Koke had put Atletico in front at the start of the second half but Lionel Messi levelled in the 51st minute. Messi soon put the ball in the net again but his second effort was ruled out for handball following a VAR review.
Former Atletico striker Griezmann did put Barca in front in the 65th while Gerard Pique thought he had extended their lead moments later but that goal was also ruled out after a VAR review, this time for a fractional offside against Arturo Vidal.
Atleti had spent most of the second half trying to stop waves of Barca attacks but got a lifeline when substitute Vitolo was tripped by goalkeeper Neto and striker Alvaro Morata equalised from the penalty spot in the 81st minute. Stand-in keeper Neto was also at fault for the winning goal, failing to properly block Correa's shot which bounced into the net to cap an incredible match. (Reuters)
Re-live the action in the blog below:
Diego Simeone appears to question Joao Felix's "heart and emotion" following nine games without a goal and a stuttering start to the season for the €126m summer signing.
"Every player has a different personality, every player needs a different amount of time to settle.
"We try to succeed in getting every signing to experience Atletico with a lot of heart and emotion, because apart from their talent they need to be committed and dedicated.
"When the passion of playing for Atletico comes to them, things come naturally to everyone, just like with Savic when he arrived and Koke.
"I don't speak of individuals, but of the way of living the football that we have had at this club for a long time."
Atletico Madrid have had some problems in front of goal this season, scoring just 22 times in 19 matches.
Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid
1: Yep, boos for the Atletico Madrid players when they have possession. Imagine being dragged thousands of miles away from your country to play a domestic game of little importance and get booed for it.
Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid
4: Messi gets his first sniff of the ball and can't threat a precise pass to Griezmann. Atletico Madrid break and Party gifts Neto an easy save to ease him into the game.
Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid
9: It's not been the most entertaining of starts here. Felix has just slipped and hit the deck chasing the ball inside the penalty area, which pretty much sums things up so far.
Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid
12: Atletico Madrid are probably the side happier with the start they've made. Partey's long ball it headed on towards Correa, who meets Neto in the air and, harshly, is penalised for challenging for the ball. Alba went to sleep there and the Atletico were in there.
Correra lands awkwardly and limps on after some treatment.
Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid
15: More injury concern here for Atletico Madrid as the medics come on to treat Oblak after he collides with Suarez.
Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid
19: Mexican Waves are already making their way around the ground. Make of that what you will...
Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid
19: Saul becomes the crowd's enemy as he clips Messi and halts his advances in midfield. Still waiting for some decent chances...
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