Thursday April 25, 2024

Suarez equalizer gives Barca valuable point

Published : 15 Oct 2017, 03:56

  DF-Xinhua Report
File Photo Xinhua.

FC Barcelona surrendered their 100 percent record at the start to the season, but took a valuable point with a 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid ion Saturday night.

Playing in front of a packed stadium with the stands packed with Spain flags, Atletico surrendered possession to Barca, but defended solidly and took the lead when Saul Niguez produced a thunderbolt shot into the corner of the net in the 21st minute.

The second half saw Barca push Atletico deeper back and the entry of Sergi Roberto gave them more of a thrust in attack, but it was not until the 82nd minute that Luis Suarez leveled the scores following a cross from the full back.

Leo Messi nearly won the game with the last kick of the game, but his powerfully hit free kick embedded in the midriff of Atletico keeper, Jan Oblak and the points were shared.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored an 85th minute goal to give Real Madrid a 2-1 win away to Getafe in a game where two points had threatened to escape them.

The fit-again Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Madrid with a fine solo goal before the break, although Jorge Molina, who was marginally offside levelled the score 10 minutes after the break.

It looked as if the Getafe could hang on for a draw, but with five minutes remaining Ronaldo got onto a pass from Madrid substitute Isco, to beat Vicente Guaita with a right foot shot from inside the area.

The day kicked off with Athletic Club Bilbao ending a run of six games without a win as they defeated Sevilla 1-0 thanks to midfielder, Mikel Vesga's first goal for the club two minutes before halftime.

Sevilla had kicked the week off in second place, but produced a flat performance and Athletic just about deserved the win.

Real Sociedad won 2-0 away to a very defensive Alaves in the Basque derby in Vitoria. The visitors dominated possession, but it was not until the 77th minute that Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring, before Aritz Elustondo sealed the points four minutes later.