Barcelona 0 - Atlético Madrid 2

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Belletti, Oleguer (Maxi López 78'), Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Márquez (Albertini 46'), Deco; Giuly (Iniesta 63'), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Atlético: Leo Franco; Molinero, Perea, Pablo, Antonio López; Marcelo Sosa, Colsa (Raúl Medina 79'); Aguilera (Sergi 56'), Ibagaza, Gronkjaer (Jorge 85'); Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Barcelona: Van Bronckhorst for Sylvinho / Atlético: Molinero, Marcelo Sosa, Aguilera for Velasco, Luccin, Salva.

Goals:
0-1. 01. Fernando Torres. Rolled shot past Valdés after Ibagaza flicked ball on.
0-2. 94. Fernando Torres (penalty). After Torres brought down by Víctor Valdés.

A sensational result at the Nou Camp on Sunday, where Atlético Madrid gave their city neighbours Real Madrid a helping hand by beating Barcelona 0-2. The goals were scored in the first and last minutes of the game by Fernando Torres, who earlier in the week had been linked with a possible summer move to the Catalan club. "El Niño" put the visitors ahead after Ibagaza's clever back-heel flick from an Antonio López cross put him through, the young striker running past Puyol to roll the ball past Víctor Valdés and silence the crowd.

Barça had only failed to score once this season, a couple of weeks ago at Villarreal, and they pushed forward trying for a quick equaliser. But the Atleti defence did their job, with Perea and Pablo snuffing out Eto'o and Ronaldinho, and the locals were limited in the first half to an Eto'o shot over the top and a possible penalty on the Camerooni striker by Pablo which referee Mejuto González turned down. And César Ferrando's side could have increased their lead, Valdés turning a dangerous effort from Torres around the post and Colsa getting the ball in the net only to see the goal ruled out for offside of two of his colleagues.

The introduction of Iniesta for Giuly improved things, and only an excellent tackle from Perea prevented the under 21 international from scoring within a minute of coming on. But the best chance for the home side came a few minutes later when Mejuto awarded them a penalty for a trip by Perea on Eto'o, even though the foul appeared to take place outside the area. However justice was probably done when Ronaldinho curled his spot kick wide of the post.

Valdés had to save from Gronkjaer on a counter-attack soon afterwards, and Leo Franco tipped another shot from Iniesta over the bar at the other end. But Barça's frantic attacks came to no avail against a packed and well orderly defence, and only seconds after Puyol had a penalty appeal turned down, Fernando Torres charged out of his own half to be brought down by Valdés inside the area. The locals claimed that the keeper had got to the ball and the away team asked for a red card, but Mejuto opted for the middle line and booked the keeper. Torres made no mistake with the penalty kick though to hand the Catalans their first home defeat in the league since they lost to Real Madrid exactly 14 months ago, and their lead over Luxemburgo's side has been cut to just four points.