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Real win derby, Barca held

Atletico Madrid’s 14-year wait for a win over neighbours Real Madrid continued as Real came from behind to win 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon. Radamel Falcao had got Atleti off to a flying start with a simple header from Diego Godin’s cross just three minutes in.

However, Real were level just nine minutes later when Juanfran turned Angel Di Maria’s free-kick into his own goal and Di Maria struck the winner himself with a fine low drive from Karim Benzema’s pass just after the hour mark. A makeshift Real side had got off to the worst possible start when after three minutes Diego Lopez spilled Gabi’s free-kick and Godin turned the ball back across the area for Falcao to head home at the back post.

Atleti’s lead disappeared, though, as Di Maria’s free-kick from the right was inadvertently directed into his own goal by Juanfran. The game was then disrupted by a flow of yellow cards as referee Miguel Angel Perez Lasa produced five in the opening half hour alone.


BARCELONA DRAW

FC Barcelona have to wait another week before they celebrate the Primera Liga football title, as a last minute equaliser from Athletic Club Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera held them to a 1-1 draw at the historic San Mames Stadium. Among the disappointment, Barca can take positives from the game such as a stunning 30 minute cameo from Leo Messi, who confirmed his return to fitness with a goal and an assist. Barca kicked off Saturday knowing a win could see them crowned as league champions if Real Madrid lose away to Atletico Madrid, but also aware that they have the return leg of their Champions League semifinal at home to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Aritz Aduriz was inches away from opening the scoring after just five minutes as he failed to connect with an Ander Herrera cross, but Alexis Sanchez was unlucky to see his right foot shot bounce off the pace of the post 15 minutes later.

Barca were beginning to control the game, all be it without their usual fluency and Alex Song and Xavi both went close, before Susaeta scored the first goal of the game. Aduriz found space and the winger was on hand to tap in from close range. It could have been 2-0 just before the break, but Aduriz’s header went over the bar, before at the other end, Cesc saw a shot flash across the face of goal.

The second half continued in a similar vein but everything changed when Messi came into the game as a 58th minute substitute. Messi needed just 10 minutes before scoring a wonder goal in which he beat three defenders in five meters before clipping home from the edge of the area. Two minutes later Messi set Alexis Sanchez up for Barca’s second with a header that Alexis controlled on his chest before firing into the net.
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