Lionel Messi was forced off with the apparent recurrence of a groin injury as Atletico Madrid came from behind to hold Barcelona 1-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Ivan Rakitic headed Barca into the lead just before half-time, but Angel Correa slotted home on the hour mark just seconds after Messi limped off to hand Atletico a deserved point.
FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid share the spoils at Camp Nou (1–1): http://ow.ly/jl74304rpqO #FCBAtleti
Earlier, Real Madrid’s record-equalling 16-game La Liga win streak came to an end as Villarreal drew 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid continued to lead Barca by three points at the top of the table with Atletico a further point back in fourth.
Both sides at the Camp Nou were boosted before kick-off by Madrid’s failure to build a commanding lead at the top of the table.
However, that also contributed to a cagey opening to the first blockbuster clash of the season between two of Spain’s big three.
Barca’s stellar front three of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar had struck 10 times in their last two games, but were kept largely quiet by Atletico’s typically rock-solid defence.
Messi had the first effort on goal, but his fierce effort was comfortably handled by Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal.
The hosts had to wait until four minutes before the break to seriously threaten again when they took the lead.
Atletico momentarily switched off as a corner from the left was played short to Andres Iniesta and his cross was powered home by the late arriving Rakitic.
However, Barca’s joy was short-lived, first by a double injury blow and then Correa’s leveller.
Sergio Busquets was first to limp off before Messi went down to the consternation of the Camp Nou.
The Argentine’s replacement Arda Turan had barely taken up his position when Atletico levelled as Correa coolly slotted home after Javier Mascherano’s slip offered him a clear path to goal.
Barca came closest to finding a winner in the final half hour as a fierce drive from Neymar was repelled by Oblak, whilst Jordi Alba and Rakitic fired off target.
However, in the end both settled for a point which keeps them within touch of Real.
At the Bernabeu, the European champions were looking to surpass the Liga mark of 16 wins first set by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2010/11, but were made to pay for a sluggish first-half display.
“We lacked intensity in the first-half,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
“The second-half was great from everyone, but you can’t always win the three points at the end.
“We know we have to work hard and change things, above all how we start the game.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale returned to the Madrid side that won 2-0 at Espanyol on Sunday.
However, just as in their Champions League opener against Sporting Lisbon a week ago, Real were flat before the break as Villarreal enjoyed the better chances.
Villarreal got their reward just before half-time when Sergio Ramos handled Manu Trigueros’s shot and referee Jose Luis Gonzalez pointed to the spot.
Captain Bruno Soriano stepped up and coolly chipped the ball down the middle of the goal past Casilla.
Ramos made amends right at the start of the second-half when he rose highest to head home James Rodriguez’s corner.
Ronaldo was then inches away from turning home Dani Carvajal’s low cross and Bale curled just wide as the pressure increased from Madrid.
However, their frustration spiled over when Ronaldo earned a yellow card for kicking out at Bruno.
The off-colour Bale was then replaced by Lucas Vazquez, whilst Karim Benzema made way for Alvaro Morata in the search for a winner.
Morata’s header from Vazquez’s cross was brilliantly turned over by Asenjo and when Ronaldo fired straight at the Villarreal stopper in the final minute, Real’s shot at history was gone.
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