Atalanta Denies Barcelona Top Spot with Draw in UCL

Barcelona was held to a 2-2 draw by Atalanta in the Champions League, settling for second place in the group. Get the latest UCL updates, match highlights, and results.

Barcelona and Atalanta faced off for the first time, resulting in an exciting 2-2 draw. The outcome saw Barcelona drop out of the UEFA Champions League's (UCL) top eight, while Atalanta's draw ensured they would not join their hosts in securing a top-eight spot.

Despite the significance of the match, the early stages were marked by a lack of intensity, with neither team pushing aggressively for an early goal. Atalanta created the best chances, but Sead Kolasinac and Davide Zappacosta's efforts failed to trouble Wojciech Szczęsny in the Barcelona goal.

Atalanta in the knockout phase play-offs 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/baIrScZoal

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

As the first half progressed, Atalanta began to apply more pressure on the Barcelona defense. Mateo Retegui was the next to attempt to break the deadlock, firing a shot from just inside the box that Szczęsny managed to push out for a corner. Just before halftime, Zappacosta thought he had scored, but VAR intervened, disallowing the goal due to an offside in the build-up.

Despite lacking attacking intent in the first half, Barcelona opened the scoring early in the second half. Raphinha's low pass into the box found Lamine Yamal, who easily slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the hosts the lead.

Lamine Yamal attempted to double Barcelona's lead shortly after scoring, but his effort from outside the box was blocked by an Atalanta defender. Undeterred, Atalanta responded by equalizing through Ederson's audacious long-range effort, which went in off the left-hand post.

Barcelona quickly regained the lead when Ronald Araujo headed home a Raphinha corner. However, their advantage was short-lived, as Marten de Roon found Mario Pasalić in the box, and the Croatian struck a first-time effort to restore parity.

The league phase is complete ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/8Ix7MvcqI4

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Ultimately, Atalanta was unable to find the crucial goal to secure all three points. The draw meant Barcelona settled for second place in the UCL last 16, while Atalanta missed the opportunity to claim a top-eight spot. As a result, Atalanta must now navigate the knockout round.