Messi lifts Barca against Atletico Madrid

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Atletico Madrid during their Spanish first division soccer match at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, September 12, 2015. REUTERS

Lionel Messi came off the bench to earn Barcelona a 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Champions Barca, who started with talisman Messi as a substitute following the birth of his second son on Friday, fell behind after a tight first half at the Calderon when Fernando Torres sped clear to score in the 51st minute.

Neymar levelled four minutes later when he curled a sumptuous free kick into the top corner and the Brazil forward should have made it 2-1 in the 67th when his point-blank shot was cleared off the line by Diego Godin.

Neymar was also involved in the winner before the ball fell to Luis Suarez, who had struck the crossbar in the first half, and he slipped a pass into space for Messi to dink it past goalkeeper Jan Oblak with 13 minutes remaining.

The victory preserved Barca’s perfect start to the season and they lead on a maximum nine points from three matches, three ahead of 2013-14 champions Atletico who are fifth.

“We played very well after going behind and we’re very happy,” Neymar told Spanish television.

“Messi is the best player in the world and when he comes on to the pitch everyone plays better.”