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Barcelona gained 1-0 at backside facet Huesca on Sunday as Lionel Messi turned the primary foreigner to make 500 appearances in Spain’s La Liga, whereas a late Luis Suarez aim secured leaders Atletico Madrid victory towards Alaves.
Messi returned for Barca after lacking the ultimate sport of 2020 with an ankle knock and swung in a cross for Frenkie de Jong to divert dwelling for the one aim on 27 minutes.
Though Ronald Koeman’s facet started a doubtlessly season-defining run of 4 consecutive away matches with a snug win, they continue to be a distant 10 factors behind Atletico in fifth having performed a sport extra.
Barca dominated possession and created a variety of possibilities however Huesca goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez produced a number of nice saves to maintain the hosts in contact.
After De Jong’s opener Messi was denied a second simply earlier than half-time when Fernandez fantastically clawed away his free-kick heading in direction of the highest nook.
The Argentine was once more thwarted by the legs of Fernandez within the second half after combining effectively with Pedri, moments after Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacted sharply to maintain out Rafa Mir’s creative back-heel.
That was a uncommon risk from Huesca who’ve now gained simply as soon as in 17 tries this season however had taken factors off most guests to their Estadio El Alcoraz to this point, together with Atletico in September.
Earlier within the day, Suarez struck a Ninetieth-minute winner for Atletico as they defeated 10-man Alaves 2-1 to maneuver again above Actual Madrid on the prime.
Marcos Llorente gave Atletico the lead at Mendizorroza shortly earlier than half-time with a deflected strike from simply outdoors the world.
Diego Simeone’s facet appeared to have the sport beneath management when Alaves defender Victor Laguardia was despatched off on the hour following a VAR evaluation for chopping down Thomas Lemar because the Frenchman ran in direction of aim.
Florian Lejeune headed towards the submit for Alaves earlier than a spectacular personal aim on 84 minutes from Felipe threatened to value Atletico two very important factors, the Brazilian centre-back drilling past Jan Oblak as he tried to hack clear an tried cross.
Nevertheless, Suarez secured Atletico’s fourth consecutive win within the ultimate minute because the Uruguayan tapped in from shut vary after the ball was slotted throughout aim by substitute Joao Felix.
“The most effective factor is how the crew completed, not getting nervous, simply enjoying. And the aim was a fantastic aim,” stated Simeone.
Atletico climbed two factors away from Actual Madrid and have two video games in hand on the defending champions.
“The takeaway from that is to proceed on the identical path,” added Simeone.
Athletic Bilbao sacked coach Gaizka Garitano following a 1-0 dwelling win over Elche, with stories in Spain linking former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde to the vacant job.
Actual Sociedad misplaced extra floor on the highest two after they might solely handle a 1-1 draw at dwelling to struggling Osasuna, whereas teenager Bryan Gil scored each targets in Eibar’s 2-0 defeat of Granada.
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