Fermin Lopez struck twice as Barcelona recovered from an early setback to defeat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on the road, a result that lifted them three points clear at the top of La Liga.
The victory leaves Barca ahead of second-placed Real Madrid by three points and five in front of Atletico, who sit third, with 12 rounds of the season played.
The hosts struck first in the 10th minute when Giuliano Simeone converted a close-range volley from Julian Alvarez's cross delivered from the left flank.
Atletico created a string of chances in the opening period as they chased what would have been an eighth consecutive victory, but Barcelona drew level on the stroke of halftime when Fermin swept the ball home after it broke kindly to him inside the penalty area.
The decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute. Lamine Yamal threaded an incisive pass through to Fermin, who beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a first-time finish, quieting the Metropolitano crowd.
The win gave Barcelona a fifth straight away league triumph over Atletico, the first time the club has achieved that run.
"It was a very difficult match. The first half was tough, but we managed to come from behind and secure the win," Lopez told La Liga TV after the final whistle.
"I think we were not being clinical enough. After the goal, we gained more confidence," he said, before praising his teammate: "Lamine [Yamal] has been very good. His pass for the second goal was half the goal itself. I'm very happy."
Lopez added that the squad had targeted top spot heading into the break: "We wanted to go into the break as league leaders and get three points. The equaliser lifted a weight off our shoulders, and we had more control."
"We knew at halftime that we had to continue playing the way we finished the first half. I think the team produced an incredible second half, both defensively and offensively. We're very happy," he said.
