Player Ratings: Lewandowski 7/10 late winner in Atléti sends Barcelona seven points clear in LaLiga

Barcelona kicked off a grueling stretch of three matches in ten days with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.

The atmosphere at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano was tense, and while the Blaugrana showed marked improvement from their previous visit, the three points were far from guaranteed.

The hosts struck first through a powerful Giuliano Simeone effort, but Marcus Rashford leveled the scoring before the break.

​The complexion of the game shifted when Atletico was reduced to ten men following a red card. Despite the numerical advantage, Barcelona found it difficult to break down a resolute home defense until Robert Lewandowski emerged from the bench to snatch the winning goal.

The victory keeps Xavi’s men on track, though concerns remain over the physical toll of the encounter.

​Barcelona Player Ratings 

​Joan Garcia (6/10):

The shot-stopper produced a vital early save against Antoine Griezmann to keep the scores level. While he was powerless to stop Simeone’s opening rocket, his composure outside the box and his distribution under heavy pressure from the Atletico frontline were commendable throughout the match.

​Joao Cancelo (6.5/10):

Deployed at left-back, Cancelo was a constant threat in the final third during the opening stages. Though his influence waned slightly as Atletico found their rhythm, he exploded back into life in the second half. His elite dribbling was the catalyst for the winning goal, effectively creating the chance out of nothing.

​Gerard Martin (5/10):

The center-back put in a disciplined performance characterized by intelligent decision-making and robust tackling. He survived a major scare early in the second half when a red card shown to him was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR intervention, much to the relief of the traveling fans.

​Pau Cubarsi (6.5/10):

The teenage defender looked comfortable at the heart of the defense, managing Atletico’s attackers with surprising maturity. His passing range remained a key asset for Barcelona’s buildup play, and he rarely looked flustered even when the hosts pressed high up the pitch.

​Ronald Araujo (6/10):

Starting in an auxiliary right-back role, the Uruguayan was solid defensively but struggled to contribute offensively, with several of his long-range passes failing to find their target. He was sacrificed late in the first half as the coaching staff opted for a tactical reorganization.

​Eric Garcia (6.5/10):

Initially starting as a holding midfielder, Garcia struggled to dictate the tempo and often dropped too deep. He looked significantly more settled after moving to right-back, where the reduced defensive burden allowed him more freedom. He eventually returned to the pivot role following an injury to a teammate.

​Pedri (7.5/10):

The midfield maestro was typically elegant in possession, though he was often isolated in the first half against a crowded Atletico midfield. His performance reached another level once the team’s structure was balanced, allowing him to pull the strings and bypass the Madrid press with ease.

​Fermin Lopez (6.5/10):

Acting as the most advanced midfielder, Lopez frequently found himself in dangerous positions thanks to clever movement. While his energy was vital, his finishing was somewhat erratic; he notably missed a golden opportunity to set up Rashford early on by choosing to shoot from a tight angle.

​Dani Olmo (7/10):

Operating in a “false nine” capacity, Olmo’s performance was a bit of a mixed bag. While he often dropped deep and struggled to provide a consistent focal point in the box, he showed his quality by providing the crucial assist for Rashford’s equalizer.

​Marcus Rashford (7.5/10):

In his first start replacing the injured Raphinha, Rashford was the ultimate threat on the counter-attack, clinical enough to score the equalizer through individual brilliance. However, his lack of defensive tracking and pressing remained a point of critique for an otherwise strong attacking display.

​Lamine Yamal (7/10):

The young superstar was once again the heartbeat of Barcelona’s offense, appearing nearly unplayable at times. He was desperately unlucky not to score after hitting the woodwork and was the primary reason the hosts were eventually reduced to ten men.

​Substitutes

​Marc Bernal (7/10):

His introduction briefly brought much-needed stability and tactical balance to the midfield. Unfortunately, his night ended prematurely due to physical discomfort, which will be a major concern for the club heading into the next two fixtures.

​Jules Kounde (7/10):

Making a welcome return from the treatment room, the Frenchman replaced Bernal and slotted into the right-back slot. He looked sharp and physically fit, providing a steady defensive presence as Barcelona pushed for the winner late on.

​Robert Lewandowski (7.5/10):

The veteran striker proved to be the ultimate super-sub. Despite limited minutes, his predatory instincts were on full display as he reacted quickest to a rebound to turn the ball home, securing a vital three points for the Catalan giants.