Score: FC Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid Goalscorer: Lionel Messi 26' A Lionel Messi freekick ensured FC Barcelona emerged victorious in a clash that was dubbed as the La Liga title decider. Atletico Madrid were beaten 1-0 and are now eight points behind the Catalans. Both sides started with the expected lineups with 4-4-2 being the favoured formation for Valverde and Simeone. It was a feisty affair, to say the least, and lived up to its blockbuster billing in the second half. So without further ado, let's discuss the big game in much more detail and dissect the five talking points that emerged from Barcelona's brilliant win over the Colchoneros: #5 A dismal first-half performance from Atletico Madrid The visitors had a forgettable first halfAtletico Madrid had made the title race interesting with their stunning form of late. The visitors were the side that needed three points here at the Camp Nou to cut down Barcelona's lead to just two points. But the eagerness or the intentions to get the better of their opponents was lacking from Atletico for the first 45 minutes. It was expected that Atletico will look to play on the counter and give Barcelona the control of the ball. The visitors applied a low block but were not too eager to offer transitions. They defended too deep in the first half and the duo of Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann were anonymous in the first interval. Atletico attempted just one shot in the first half; a wayward shot from distance from Thomas Partey. Without the ball, Atletico failed to press with intent and looked lethargic at times to close down the gaps for the Barcelona players to operate. Their first-half performance gifted the momentum to Barcelona as it was the hosts that looked like wanting the three points at any cost rather than the other way around.