Messi free kick prevents Real from extending lead
The World Player of the Year caught the Atletico defence napping to score a breathtaking 81st-minute free kick and settle an intense battle at the Calderon after Atletico striker Radamel Falcao had cancelled out Daniel Alves’s opening goal.
Messi curled a stunning strike over the head of out of position Atletico goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, and into the far top corner for his 28th league goal of the season. Real had earlier squeaked past Madrid neighbours Rayo Vallecano 1-0 thanks to a clever Cristiano Ronaldo backheel that helped Jose Mourinho’s side equal the club record of nine straight away wins from the 2009-10 season.
In Italy, Napoli’s late push for Serie A’s third Champions League place was aided by a 1-0 home victory over Inter Milan on Sunday but wins for Udinese and Lazio kept the gap at five points.