Barcelona’s Ferran Torres scored twice to help secure a late 4-2 comeback win over La Liga title rivals Atlético Madrid in a pulsating clash on Sunday that took Hansi Flick’s side back to the top of the table.

The hosts took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Julián Alvarez after Antoine Griezmann broke quickly and found Giuliano Simeone, who curled a precise pass for the former Manchester City forward to score his 11th league goal of the season.

Diego Simeone’s side doubled their lead in the 70th minute through substitute Alexander Sørloth’s brilliant close-range finish after he was set up by Conor Gallagher. However, Barcelona responded almost immediately when Robert Lewandowski got on the end of Iñigo Martinez’s cross.

Barça pulled level when Torres headed home in the 78th from Raphinha’s delightful ball into the box. Lamine Yamal put the visitors ahead in stoppage time before Torres put the icing on the cake with his second of the night.

Barça now have 60 points and a game in hand after last week’s postponement of their home match with Osasuna. They are level on points with Real Madrid, who won 2-1 at Villarreal on Saturday. Atlético remain third on 56 points from 28 games.

“It was very important to get the three points today,” said Lamine Yamal. “At the end of the anger, of the impotence of seeing that we weren’t comfortable, we showed our best side, we gave the best we had. It was clear to me that if I scored it would be in important games. Since the ball was on the other side of the pitch I could see Gallagher was moving away from me and as soon as it came to me I saw the opportunity and I saw the shot.”

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The teams will meet again in the Copa del Rey semi-finals after the first leg ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw, with the return taking place at the Metropolitano on 2 April.