Lionel Messi celebrated the birth of his second son with a winning goal as Barcelona went top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid.
Messi, who had not scored in Barca's first two league games, started on the bench after missing training on Friday to be with his new baby boy Mateo.
Atletico went ahead six minutes after the break when Fernando Torres rolled in a shot, but Neymar equalised.
Messi then grabbed the winner after being set up by Luis Suarez.
It was the Argentina international's 287th La Liga goal for Barcelona, extending his lead as the competition's all-time top scorer.
La Liga's all-time top scorers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Clubs | Years in La Liga | Goals |
1. Lionel Messi
|
Barcelona
|
2004-
|
287
|
2. Telmo Zarra
|
Athletic Bilbao
|
1940-1955
|
251
|
3. Hugo Sanchez
|
Atletico Madrid Real Madrid Rayo Vallecano
|
1981-1994
|
234
|
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
|
Real Madrid
|
2009
|
230
|
5. Raul
|
Real Madrid
|
1994-2010
|
228
|
His goal came on the day that Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo became his club's record league scorer - and moved up to fourth in the overall standings with 230 goals - by scoring five in a 6-0 win at Espanyol.
Messi had scored in Argentina's 2-2 midweek draw with Mexico but was seeking his first La Liga goal of the season before Saturday's game.
He saw Suarez hit the bar in a poor first half, before Atletico took the lead early in the second when Torres finished off a fine counter-attack.
That lead lasted only four minutes, though, as Neymar curled in a stunning free-kick from 20 yards.
Barcelona had a penalty appeal rejected when Atletico defender Diego Godin appeared to handle the ball, but Messi won the match with a stylish, low finish.
A Fernando Torres goal gave the home side hope but the South American stars popped up to secure the three points
A goal from substitute Lionel Messi saw Barcelona record a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in Saturday's La Liga encounter at the Vicente Calderon.
Both sides had won their opening two fixtures, but only Barca were able to keep up their perfect record in the Spanish capital, coming from behind to collect the three points.
Atletico started without new signings Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, Luciano Vietto and Jackson Martinez, while Luis Enrique opted to bench star attacker Messi.
Fernando Torres broke the deadlock after the interval, only for Neymar to restore parity four minutes later and Messi then scored the winner after coming off the bench.
The result sees Barcelona move top of the table with nine points from three matches, while Atletico sit fifth.
The home side got an early chance to open the scoring after Juanfran set up Torres, but the former Liverpool star sliced his volley over the crossbar.
The Catalan side began to grow into the contest and Ivan Rakitic threatened with 15 minutes gone. Andres Iniesta reached the Croatia international after evading several challenges, but Jan Oblak made a good save to deny the midfielder.
Torres then blasted off target following some excellent work from Antoine Griezmann.
Luis Enrique's men nearly broke the deadlock in the 25th minute via Luis Suarez, only for Oblak to deflect the Uruguay international's shot from close range onto the crossbar with a miraculous reflex.
Barca once more came close to the opener 10 minutes before half-time, as Jeremy Mathieu reached Suarez with a long ball and he in turn found Neymar, only for the Brazilian attacker's attempt to be blocked.
Atletico made a superb start to the second half and felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty after Javier Mascherano seemingly handled Torres' cross. They had reason to celebrate shortly after, though, as Tiago opened up the Barcelona defence with a sublime pass and Torres coolly slotted home to make it 1-0.
Barcelona immediately levelled the scoring, however, as Neymar showed his class with a beautifully taken free-kick.
Substitute Ferreira Carrasco tried his luck with a right-footed shot after cutting inside, but his attempt lacked the power to worry Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Messi then came off the bench for the Catalans and the Argentina international did not need long to make an impact. Suarez set up his partner in crime up front and the 28-year-old opened his account this term with a sublime finish.
Martinez was introduced from the bench and had a decent chance to make it 2-2 just five minutes before the final whistle, but the Colombian striker's volley ended in Ter Stegen's hands as the visitors emerged victorious.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SUBSTITUTIONS (5)
Atlético Madrid
- 13 Oblak
- 20 Juanfran
- 24 Giménez de Vargas Booked
- 02 Godín
- 03 Filipe Luis Booked
- 10 Óliver Booked (Ferreira-Carrasco - 60' )
- 14 Gabi (Vietto - 81' )
- 05 Tiago
- 06 Koke
- 09 Torres (Martínez - 62' )
- 07 Griezmann
Substitutes
- 01 Moyá Rumbo
- 11 Martínez
- 15 Savic
- 17 Ñíguez
- 18 Gámez Duarte
- 21 Ferreira-Carrasco
- 23 Vietto
Barcelona
- 01 ter Stegen
- 20 Sergi
- 14 Mascherano
- 23 Vermaelen (Mathieu - 28' )
- 18 Alba
- 04 Rakitic (Messi - 60' )
- 05 Busquets
- 08 Iniesta Booked
- 12 Rafinha
- 09 Suárez
- 11 Neymar
Substitutes
- 10 Messi
- 15 Bartra
- 17 El Haddadi
- 19 Ramírez
- 21 Adriano
- 24 Mathieu
- 25 Masip
Ref: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
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