Atlético Baleares come close to victory but Barça Atlètic equalise with a 90th-minute penalty

Barça Atlètic and Atlético Baleares shared the points (1-1) at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in a highly competitive match in which the Balearic side came very close to taking all three points.

The match began with the Barça reserve team trying to set the tempo and creating the first dangerous attacks. However, ATB responded with solid defensive organisation, highlighted by a great clearance from Pol in the 7th minute and a confident punch from Pablo to clear a corner in the 9th.

As the minutes passed, the white-and-blue side began to grow into the game. In the 17th minute Rubén delivered a dangerous ball into the box that Darius narrowly failed to glance on. Later, Iván López tried his luck with a volley in the 28th minute that went over the bar. The match remained open and in the 30th minute Pol produced a superb save to deny the home side.

The first half continued with a lot of battles in midfield. Ulrich received a yellow card in the 32nd minute and Rubén was also booked in the 43rd. Before the break there was still time for a Barça header that went over the crossbar and a good cross from Lache that the home defence cleared comfortably. With few clear chances and no clear dominance, both teams went into half-time with the score still level.

After the restart, ATB made a change in the 53rd minute as Víctor Morillo came on for Bover. Shortly afterwards, Darius delivered a dangerous cross in the 56th minute that found no finisher. In the 63rd minute Lache tried a left-footed shot that the Barça goalkeeper managed to push away.

The reward for the white-and-blue side came in the 65th minute. Alejandro started an excellent move from the back and released Moha into space. The attacker timed his pass perfectly for Víctor Morillo, who finished with great composure past the goalkeeper to put Atlético Baleares ahead.

ATB had chances to seal the win. In the 69th minute a good move from Lache could not be finished by either Jofre or Moha. Barça pushed in the closing stages, but Pablo produced a great save in the 75th minute. The Balearic side could even have extended the lead in the 78th after a brilliant move from Pachón that Jofre sent over the crossbar.

Just when victory seemed within reach, the final blow arrived. In the 90th minute the referee awarded a penalty for handball by Iván and Barça Atlètic converted from the spot to make it 1-1.

The draw left a bitter feeling for ATB, who produced an excellent performance and were only moments away from taking the win at the Johan Cruyff.

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