Fermin Lopez scored twice as Barcelona came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday, restoring the champions' three-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Atletico struck first through Giuliano Simeone in the 10th minute, but Lopez levelled just before half-time and then completed the comeback in the 66th minute after being set up by Lamine Yamal. The win leaves Barcelona three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid and five ahead of Atletico in third after 12 games.

The home side made the stronger start and could have led by more than one goal. Marc Pubill headed against the crossbar from a towering header early on, and Julian Alvarez's low cross was turned in by Simeone for the opener. David Hancko then went close with a flick that drifted just the wrong side of the post as Atletico pressed for a second.

Barcelona were also denied by the woodwork when Pedri struck the bar with a fierce effort at the other end, and the visitors' persistence was rewarded before the break. Lopez profited from a fortunate deflection and drove a first-time finish into the far bottom corner to make it 1-1.

The second half belonged largely to the league leaders. Yamal released Lopez with an incisive pass, and the midfielder swept home a delightful finish across the goalkeeper to put Barcelona in front. Atletico pushed for an equaliser, but the game never regained the free-flowing rhythm of the first half, and Barcelona held on to their lead.

The result ended Atletico's seven-match winning run in La Liga and underlined Barcelona's strength on the road. The visitors have now won their opening six away league games of the season, a feat they have achieved only three times in their history.

For Atletico, the defeat was a missed chance to close the gap at the top before the international break. Diego Simeone's side had gone into the match only two points behind Barcelona, but they now sit five points adrift and must regroup when club football resumes.

Barcelona, meanwhile, head into the break in control of the title race. With 33 points from 12 matches, they have set the early pace, and Lopez's brace offered a reminder that their attacking threat extends well beyond their most famous names. The midfielder was named man of the match after his two goals decided one of the biggest fixtures of the Spanish season.