Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona

Lionel Messi's free kick 10 minutes from time has earned Barcelona a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine thought that he chipped his side into a seventh-minute lead, but the goal was ruled out for handball.

Barca came close on 19 minutes when Xavi Hernandez saw his free kick saved by Thibaut Courtois.

The visitors made the breakthrough 10 minutes before the break as Dani Alves tapped in following a passing move involving Messi and Cesc Fabregas.

Atletico were level just three minutes into the second half as Falcao pounced in the area from a corner.

Alexis Sanchez headed over after the hour for the away team before Messi swept his free kick into the top corner to claim a vital win for the Catalan side.

Barca are now 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who won 1-0 at Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day.