LaLiga: Barcelona beat Huesca in Lionel Messi’s 500th game; Atletico Madrid back on top after 1-0 win over Alaves

Barcelona celebrity Lionel Messi grew to become the primary foreigner to finish 500 appearances in LaLiga. AP

Madrid: Barcelona gained 1-0 at backside aspect Huesca on Sunday as Lionel Messi grew to become the primary foreigner to make 500 appearances in Spain’s La Liga, whereas a late Luis Suarez purpose secured leaders Atletico Madrid victory in opposition to 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 house for the one purpose on 27 minutes.

Though Ronald Koeman’s aspect started a doubtlessly season-defining run of 4 consecutive away matches with a cushty win, they continue to be a distant 10 factors behind Atletico in fifth having performed a sport extra.

“Usually, apart from the final 20 minutes we performed properly,” mentioned Koeman.

“We created a number of hazard, which is not straightforward in opposition to a crew that shuts up on the again. We received a terrific purpose and we had two or three extra probabilities to tug away.”

Barca dominated possession and created plenty of probabilities however Huesca goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez produced a number of positive 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 the direction of the highest nook.

The Argentine was once more thwarted by the legs of Fernandez within the second half after combining properly 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 up to now, together with Atletico in September.

“We got here out robust and really concentrated. It is the principle base we’d like. If we now have that, we enhance rather a lot with the ball and if we get higher in entrance of purpose then we will have an excellent begin to the 12 months,” added Koeman.

Suarez the saviour

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 realm.

Diego Simeone’s aspect appeared to have the sport beneath management when Alaves defender Victor Laguardia was despatched off on the hour following a VAR evaluate for chopping down Thomas Lemar because the Frenchman ran in the direction of purpose.

Florian Lejeune headed in opposition to the submit for Alaves earlier than a spectacular personal purpose 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 remaining minute because the Uruguayan tapped in from shut vary after the ball was slotted throughout purpose by substitute Joao Felix.

Saúl ➡️ João ➡️ Luis ➡️ ⚽❗❕

⚪ #AúpaAtleti | @LuisSuarez9 pic.twitter.com/yLNfzXDr8i

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 3, 2021

“The very best factor is how the crew completed, not getting nervous, simply taking part in. And the purpose was a terrific purpose,” mentioned 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 house win over Elche, with reviews in Spain linking former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde to the vacant job.

Actual Sociedad misplaced extra floor on the highest two after they may solely handle a 1-1 draw at house to struggling Osasuna, whereas teenager Bryan Gil scored each objectives in Eibar’s 2-0 defeat of Granada.