Barcelona earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Rafinha gave Barca the lead at Vicente Calderon with an angled finish before a glancing header from Diego Godin levelled the scores.

But Lionel Messi had the final word, prodding home an 86th-minute winner after his initial shot had been blocked.

“Beating a direct rival is a very positive morale boost for the players and for everyone," said Barca coach Luis Enrique.

“It's important to get closer to the position we want.

“It was a hard-fought victory and difficult. In the first half it was harder and in the second their press was not as high and didn't have the same effect and we gained confidence. It's evident that the change of system is a way of stopping the opponent knowing what you are going to do.

“We were better in the second half, because in the first we lost the ball too much. But in general I am satisfied for three points against a direct rival. We looked for the points and in the end we got a deserved reward."