Fermin Lopez scores brace in 100th league match — a first in the 21st century

Outshining Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez stole all the attention in his 100th league match. At the Metropolitano, in La Liga's 12th round, Barcelona came from behind against Atletico Madrid to win on the back of his brace.

Statistics expert 'Mister Chip' noted on X that a brace in a 100th league match is a rare sight. Only three players had achieved the feat before Lopez: Rivaldo in 1999, Eladio in 1966 and Kubala in 1957. Lopez is the first player in the 21st century to do it.

On Saturday, Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 to reach 30 points and draw level with Barcelona, though they stayed behind on goal difference. But the reigning champions still went into the international break three points clear. The 2-1 win at the Metropolitano took Barcelona to 33 points after 12 matches.

This season Barcelona have won 11 of their 12 league matches. Their only dropped points came in last month's El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.

Atletico were in a good position in a thrilling first half. Julian Alvarez had a great chance in the sixth minute, with only visiting goalkeeper Joan Garcia ahead of him, but the Argentine striker took one touch too many and let the chance slip away.

Both sides then struck the woodwork. Marc Pubill's header hit the crossbar, and then Pedri's effort came back off the post. The hosts went ahead in the tenth minute, when Giuliano Simeone found the net from Alvarez's low cross.

Play stopped for a minute right after the first goal, as players and supporters paid tribute to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after colliding with the opposition goalkeeper during a match.

Atletico tried to extend their lead, but Barcelona equalised just before half-time. After the hosts failed to clear, Lopez found the net with a curling shot. Barcelona were livelier in the second half, and in the 66th minute Lopez beat Jan Oblak after a clever pass from Lamine Yamal.

With their second league defeat, Atletico dropped to third, five points behind Barcelona.