Barcelona’s Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the opening aim in the course of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain| Photo Credit: AP

Barcelona's Joao Felix scored within the first half to safe a hard-fought 1-0 dwelling win in opposition to his valiant dad or mum membership Atletico Madrid in a compelling LaLiga conflict on Sunday.

The Portuguese, on mortgage at Barca after a bitter cut up with Diego Simeone's aspect, netted with a fantastic dinked end over goalkeeper Jan Oblak within the twenty eighth minute and didn't maintain again in his goal-scoring celebrations with the jubilant dwelling crowd.

"It was spontaneous. I was in the heat of the game and it was like a relief for everything I've been through this summer," Felix informed Movistar Plus.

"Only the people closest to me, my family mainly, know what I've been through. So the goal was dedicated to them.

"I could not consider (when the followers chanted his title). I understand how nice this membership is and to have your title chanted will not be one thing that occurs to many. I'm delighted."

Barca moved above Atletico into third place on 34 points, four behind leaders Real Madrid and Girona.

Atletico are fourth on 31 points with a game in hand.

Under pressure from the fans dissatisfied with Barcelona's form lately, Xavi Hernandez's team put on a show in the first-half, dominating the match and creating several chances.

HIGH PRESS

Barca started by pressing high and wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the second minute when Raphinha was one-on-one against Oblak but fluffed his lines, striking wide of the far post from close range.

Robert Lewandowski had a chance blocked by the visiting defence two minutes later and missed a sitter from close range in the 12th minute of a high intensity match, with both sides pushing for the opener and getting exposed on the counter.

That was how the hosts scored in the 28th minute when Pedri stole the ball and flashed a long pass to Jules Kounde bursting up the right and he crossed to Raphinha who saw Felix darting up the left channel against a disorganised defence.

The Brazilian played in Felix, who won a challenge against last man Jose Maria Gimenez to stay in front of Oblak and chipped the ball over the stranded keeper into the empty net.

Barca kept control with over 65% of possession and could have extended their lead before halftime if not for Oblak, who made a brilliant one-handed save on the goal-line to keep out a point-blank first-time shot by Felix in the 44th minute.

Feeling the heat, Simeone made three changes at halftime, but Barcelona stayed on top after the break with Raphinha's strike from long range hitting the post in the 55th.

But as the minutes passed Barca seemed to run out of steam due to the relentless pace of the first three quarters of the game and Atletico seized the opportunity, with fresh players coming off the bench leading a strong late bid for an equaliser.

However, they were frustrated by Barca's inspired keeper Inaki Pena, replacing the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He made several saves to secure Barca the points, including two stoppage time ones to deny Memphis Depay and Angel Correa.

"We threw the primary half away, nobody appeared to need the ball," Oblak told Movistar Plus. "It hurts so much, we did not begin nicely, we did not shoot within the first half and it hurts.

"If we had played a bit better in the first half we would have had a chance but we were bad and we were punished." (Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)