Atletico Madrid will start 2025 as La Liga leaders after their sensational late 2-1 win at Barcelona.

Los Rojiblancos ended their 18-year wait for a league win in Catalonia when Alexander Sorloth came on as a 96th-minute substitute and scored the winning goal.

Victory over their rivals takes Diego Simeone’s team three points clear at the top of the table on a rollercoaster evening.

Sorloth’s eighth league goal of the season proved the difference as Simeone’s plan worked as his team had enough energy in the tank to strike late.

The Norwegian has had a mixed start to life in Madrid but Atlético Madrid captain Jan Oblak believes he can lead the title hunt in 2025.

“Since I’ve been at Atlético, I’ve never won here. We finally did it! A difficult game, but three points. Let’s keep it up,” says Marca’s quotes.

“We resisted at 1-0 and in the last minute Sorloth gave us victory again.

“Sorloth had to come on to win here. It’s not easy to do that. When he comes in he always does his job. He’s the striker we need who can score goals.”

Atletico Madrid is having a less demanding January than its rivals as it is not taking part in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia and returns from the winter break with a Copa del Rey match in Marbella on January 4.