Sports Barcelona 2-2 Atleti: Catalan's title hopes dented despite Messi's 700th goal
Barcelona could soon find themselves four points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid after being held to a 2-2 draw by Atletico Madrid.
Match Reports
Lionel Messi scored the 700th goal of his career but Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid by a pair of Saul Niguez penalties, damaging their LaLiga title defence.
Barca's all-time leading scorer Messi brought up the milestone at Camp Nou with a brilliant Panenka from the penalty spot as he punished Felipe for sending Nelson Semedo to ground early in the second half.
However, Saul, who first equalised in the opening period after Diego Costa's own goal, powered home from 12 yards for the second time after Semedo caught Yannick Carrasco in the box.
Match Events
11' OWN GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Atletico (Diego Costa)
The Catalan take the lead as Messi's corner strikes the thigh of Costa and travels past Oblak into the net. The striker opens his legs as he tries to clear the danger, but unlike his previous attempt, it clips the back of his right thigh and speeds over the line.
16' Penalty Missed! (Diego Costa)
Costa takes the penalty, but sees his effort saved by Ter Stegen diving low to his left. However, the referee receives a message over his communication device that the keeper was off his line before the kick was struck. Therefore the penalty will be retaken.
17' Yellow Card! Ter Stegen booked
Ter Stegen comes off his line too early from the spot-kick and is booked by the referee. His intial save of Costa's effort is chalked off.
19' Penalty Goal! Barcelona 1-1 Atletico (Saul )
Atletico opt to change their penalty taker after Costa's miss. Saul has no problem dispatching his left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner, sending Ter Stegen the wrong way. The visitors are back in the game.
22' CHANCE! Messi's long shot inches wide
Messi takes possession in the right inside channel and opens up space to fire at goal on his left foot. He arcs his strike away from Oblak towards the top-left corner, but the ball hits the outside of the post and travels wide.
50' Penalty Goal! Barcelona 2-1 Atletico (Messi)
The home side regain the lead as the Argentine scoops his strike with a panenka into the middle of the net. Oblak dives early and is powerless to prevent the strike from crossing the line. It's a special strike for Messi - his 700th career goal.
62' Penalty Goal! Barcelona 2-2 Atletico (Saul )
Ter Stegen is furious with himself as Saul's strike just bursts through his hands and finds the bottom-right corner. It's not a clean effort from the Spaniard and the Barca keeper should make the stop, but his hands are not firm enough and the ball trickles into the net.
