MADRID, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Late goals from Luis Suarez and Leo Messi gave FC Barcelona a 2-0 win at home over Atletico Madrid and virtually assure them this season's Liga Santander title.
Barca were making hard work of breaking down a brave Atletico side who were reduced to 10 men 10 minutes before halftime when Diego Costa was sent off for insulting the referee, before Suarez found space at the edge of the Atletico area five minutes from time to open the scoring.
Messi doubled the lead a minute later with another smart finish to assure a win which leaves Barca 11 points clear at the top of the table with just seven games left to play.
As expected Barca coach Ernesto Valverde played his strongest 11, with Gerard Pique, Leo Messi and Ivan Rakitic back after being rested in midweek.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone welcomed Costa back after missing out in midweek due to injury, and put Alvaro Morata on the bench.
Barca took the initiative on the ball, while Atletico sat deep and looked to soak up the pressure, although the visitors were fortunate to see Jordi Alba's 13th minute shot bounce off the coast after Messi had teed up the left back.
That woke Atletico up and both Santiago Arias and Antoine Griezmann got off shots, but without troubling Ter Stegen in the Barca goal.
At the other end, Jan Oblak produced a good save to deny Philippe Coutinho, before Atletico suffered a huge setback as Costa was shown a direct red card in the 34th minute after squaring up to the referee and appearing to insult him.
With a player less, Atletico opted to replace Arias with Angel Correa, but sat deep until halftime as Barca took control of the ball.
Despite playing against 10 men, Barca, with Messi somewhat below his best, struggled to break down Atletico at the start of the second half. Knowing nothing but a win would serve his side, Simeone replaced left-back Felipe Luis with striker Alvaro Morata.
Messi sprang to life in the 62nd with a mazy run to set up Luis Suarez, who was denied by Oblak and the Atletico keeper produced another stop to deny Messi a couple of minutes later.
Malcom came on for Arthur Melo as Barca stepped up the pressure and the Brazilian was on the pitch for just a minute before he too was denied by the Atletico keeper.
At the other end, Jose Gimenez headed over following a corner, while Rodri also failed to keep the ball down following a free kick as Atletico bravely looked to take the game to Barca.
Saul also had a chance for the visitors, but the last word, as so often this season, were Suarez and Messi and the only question now is when Barca will lift the trophy. Enditem
