Lionel Messi scored his 700th career goal but Barcelona suffered another blow to their LaLiga title hopes after a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Messi chipped in a penalty to reach another astonishing milestone at Camp Nou but twice Atletico hit back with spot-kicks of their own, Saul Niguez converting both after Barca took an early lead through Diego Costa’s own-goal.
The result gives Real Madrid the chance to move four points clear at the top of the table if they can overcome Getafe at home on Wednesday, a formidable lead with five games left.
With a superior head-to-head, it would take a dramatic capitulation for Madrid not to lift the trophy from there but there is no guarantee Barcelona can finish strongly enough even to create pressure.
This was their third draw in four matches and with suggestions of disharmony between the players and coaching staff, the future of Quique Setien looks bleak too.
Setien was asked about his job on Monday and had to play down the significance of a frank exchange of views in the dressing room following Saturday’s draw away at Celta Vigo.
Messi had also caused a stir by appearing to ignore Setien’s assistant Eder Sarabia during a water break at Vigo and on Tuesday it was impossible to ignore the contrast with Atletico’s players, who huddled around Diego Simeone while 50 metres away Setien stood alone.
At fulltime, Setien stared into space with the look of a coach that is running out of time but he had taken bold decisions, leaving €120-million signing Antoine Griezmann on the bench and handing another start to 20-year-old Riqui Puig.
COSTA NIGHTMARE
Yet it started well for them as Costa endured a nightmare first quarter of an hour, first diverting Messi’s corner into his own net after misjudging the flight of the ball at the near post.
Then he missed a penalty, won after the excellent Yannick Carrasco left Gerard Pique for dead and then cut back inside Arturo Vidal, who stuck out a leg.
Costa’s shot was saved but VAR showed Marc-Andre ter Stegen had sprung off his line too early and Atletico were given a second chance. This time Saul took the ball and he scored the equaliser.
Messi dinked over the sliding Renan Lodi and then whistled a curling effort past the far post. His deflected free-kick forced Jan Oblak to adjust his feet and palm over.
Finally, it was laid on a plate for him shortly after halftime. Felipe clipped Nelson Semedo and Messi, with the 700th in sight, chipped the ball delicately down the middle.
But every time Barca pulled away, Atletico pegged them back. Another penalty was awarded, again instigated by the speedy Carrasco, who made the most of the slightest tough from Semedo.
Saul took the ball again and while Ter Stegen got a hand to it, the ball squirmed into the corner.
Vidal twice went close, the second time heading wide Jordi Alba’s cross, and Thomas Lemar might even have won it for Atletico in injury-time. For Barca, the draw is damaging enough.
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