Barcelona 3-1 Atletico Madrid: Neymar, Suarez and Messi see off tough-tackling champions

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Two first-half efforts left the Catalans leading before Mario Mandzukic's penalty set up a tense finale, but the four-time Ballon d'Or winner sealed the win very late on

Barcelona's superstar attacking trident of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi inflicted revenge for being beaten to La Liga on the final day of last season with a 3-1 victory at Camp Nou on Sunday, putting a week of turmoil behind them.

Head coach Luis Enrique was criticised by many for his team selection in last weekend's dispiriting 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad and a 5-0 midweek thrashing of Elche in the Copa del Rey did not prevent him from entering Sunday's pivotal Camp Nou encounter under heavy scrutiny.
A rumoured rift between Luis Enrique and Lionel Messi dominated the pre-match build-up, but Barcelona's star man produced a majestic and tenacious display, laying on goals for attacking colleagues Neymar and Luis Suarez to ensure the hosts led 2-0 with 10 minutes to until half-time.

Messi blotted his copybook by conceding a soft 57th-minute penalty that Mario Mandzukic converted to hand Atletico a lifeline, although Diego Simeone's men could not follow Wednesday night's stirring 2-0 cup win over city rivals Real Madrid with another memorable success on the ground where they famously secured the Liga crown on the final day of last season.

It was Messi who fittingly had the final word, ending a run of seven goalless matches against Atletico three minutes from time and closing Barca to within two points of leaders Real having played a game more

Atletico are three points further back in third after a match where their enterprising start quickly unravelled into a torrid opening half.

Messi skewed a ninth-minute shot wide but created the opening goal from the inside-right position.

Suarez failed to control his team-mate's low cross with his thigh but Juanfran's missed clearance left Neymar with a far-post finish.

It was almost double misery for Atletico in the 13th minute as goalkeeper Miguel Moya fumbled a Neymar strike and recovered sharply to thwart Suarez.