Saul stunner not enough to beat determined Barca

The hosts went into the game having not beaten their illustrious opponents in 14 games, a run dating back to February 2010 and they once again failed to claim three points, despite leading for almost an hour.

The match started at a frenetic pace with Lionel Messi going close inside 60 seconds. The Argentine played a one-two with Luis Suarez but was eventually crowded out and his shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Atletico were next to threaten as Antoine Griezmann twice went close.

Firstly, the France international found a yard of space inside the Barce box and aimed a powerful shot towards goal with his right foot, only to see Ter Stegen prevent his effort from finding the net at the near post with a fine save.

Griezmann was at it again just minutes later, gathering the ball from deep and driving towards goal. He nonchalantly slipped the ball through Pique’s legs on the edge of the box before taking aim, but Ter Stegen was once again equal to his effort.

The tempo of the game slowed at this point as Barca took control of proceedings.

However, it was the hosts who made the breakthrough at the midway point of the first half.

As Atletico enjoyed their best spell of possession of the game, Carrasco found Saul in a pocket of space and the youngster advanced before unleashing a beautiful curling strike from 25 yards which gave Ter Stegen no chance on this occasion.

There were few real chances of note during the remainder of the opening half.

Barca dominated the ball and went close when Messi’s free kick from the left just evaded Suarez and Pique at the back post.

Suarez was quiet by his standards but he threatened to spring into life when he span Savic on the edge of the box but the defender got back well to make an important block.

The visitors wanted a penalty just before the break after Messi went down under the challenge of Gabi but the referee waved away their protests and Atletico went into half-time with the lead.

The hosts started the second half brightly as well, with Carrasco forcing Ter Stegen into an early save.

Both sides then wasted great opportunities through poor decision-making.

First, Jordi Alba got in behind down the left but blasted a cross out of the reach of every blue shirt under little pressure, before Atletico madrid twice fluffed opportunities to counter.

The game became more stretched at this point and Atletico were able to threaten more on the counter attack.

The hosts should have got in when Griezmann led a raid but his ball through to Correa was poor and allowed Pique to make a challenge.

Simeone’s men were almost made to pay for their wastefulness just minutes later as Suarez sprang into life. He gathered the ball and jinked past a man on the edge of the box before seeing a powerful effort beaten away by Oblak.

Not to be outdone, Messi went even closer immediately afterwards as his curling free kick from 25 yards crashed into the upright.

Barca had another penalty shout on the hour mark as the ball appeared to strike Savic’s arm but once again the referee said no.

The visitors were dominant at this point and almost found a way back into the game when Messi fizzed an effort from the edge of the box narrowly wide.

Barca fans could have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t to be their when Oblak denied Suarez once again, however the pressure eventually told and with just eight minutes remaining the visitors restored parity.

Sergi Roberto wasn’t closed down on the right and he put in a perfect cross for Suarez to head home at the far post.

Barca could even have nicked it late on but Suarez couldn’t quite connect with Gomes’ centre and Oblak was equal to Messi's free kick.

Both sides were made to do with a point which maintained their status as two of just three unbeaten teams in La Liga.