Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid score: Messi and company waste chance to move into first place in La Liga

A win would have put Barca in first, but instead they stay in third

Barcelona wasted a chance to move into first place in La Liga with just three games to go, drawing first-place Atletico Madrid on Saturday at the Camp Nou, 0-0. In a match with few quality chances, it was Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak that produced a couple fantastic saves, including one on Lionel Messi in the first half, to keep their cushion atop the table.

Barca had the better of the chances while the Atleti attack led by Luis Suarez rarely threatened despite producing 11 shots. Barca, knowing a win would be crucial to their title hopes, went forward in numbers late and looked set to grab a winner from Ousmane Dembele, but the French winger's powerful header inside the box on a Jordi Alba cross flew over the goal to the surprise of his teammates.

Atleti were perfectly content in staying compact and pressing, which they are known for under coach Diego Simeone, seeing a result that in the end will please them.

Now Atleti just have to hope Real Madrid drop points Sunday against Sevilla as a win for Los Blancos will put them in first place with just three matches remaining. 

[May 8, 2021 at 11:45 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Araujo puts the ball in the net off a Jordi Alba cross, but he's offside by a hair!

[May 8, 2021 at 11:36 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

30 minutes to go. Really not a whole lot happening here. Very, very defensive from Atleti as Barca looks for some way to break them down.

[May 8, 2021 at 11:27 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

We approach the hour mark still with no goals scored. Barca know a draw does nothing for them, really. They must push forward.

[May 8, 2021 at 11:06 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

All squared at the end of the first half with each team having one decent look. Very defensive from Atleti as usual, and they'll be pleased with the score at the break.