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MADRID, Dec. 1-- Leo Messi scored a late goal to give FC Barcelona a 1-0 win away to Atletico Madrid on Sunday night to keep them at the top of the Liga Santander table ahead of Real Madrid. The Argentinean played a one-two with Luis Suarez on the edge of the Atletico area before curling a left foot shot into the back of the Atletico net to decide an entertaining game that could have gone either way as the rain poured down in Madrid. Both sides had chances to win the game, with Barca keeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen making two brilliant first half saves, while Gerard Pique, who had to leave the pitch injured in the closing minutes, saw a header bounce back off the crossbar. Barca had been in danger of losing the leadership after Real Madrid dug deep to take all three points from their visit to Deportivo Alaves with goals from defenders Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal 24 hours earlier. Ramos headed Madrid into a 52nd minute lead after a free kick taken by Tony Kroos but then committed a needless penalty against Joselu to allow Lucas Perez to equalize from the spot. Carvajal sealed the points for Madrid from close range after Alaves keeper Fernando Pacheco had pushed Isco's header onto the post. Sevilla remain third, but had to work hard to beat Leganes with Diego Carlos scoring the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute against the bottom of the table side. Leganes have improved under coach Javier Aguirre, but are starting to get left behind in the battle to avoid relegation. | 
