Atletico Madrid blew the chance to claim the lead in La Liga with a 1-1 home draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday, but played most of the game with 10 men after Pablo Barrios’ seventh-minute red card. After champions and leaders Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Osasuna earlier on, Diego Simeone’s side were aiming to capitalise at their Metropolitano stadium. However Barrios’ early sending-off set Atletico back and Iago Aspas fired Celta ahead in the second half from the penalty spot. Atletico target man Alexander Sorloth rescued a point for the Rojiblancos with a fine strike in the 81st minute, keeping them a point behind Los Blancos.

“When we were left with 10 men it’s very difficult… the team tried everything,” Atletico midfielder Koke told DAZN.

“We defended well, we suffered when we had to. Obviously we’re still in the fight for the title.

“We have to continue and keep working, there’s still a long way to go.”

Barrios, who was also sent off in the first half of a Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen in January, flew into a reckless high tackle on Pablo Duran.

The Spaniard was dismissed in the seventh minute after a VAR review.

Atletico dug deep and kept Celta at bay in a first half with few chances of note.

The Galician side, with an extra player, had control of the ball but Atletico were happy to stop them from creating danger, with Antoine Griezmann chipping in with plenty of defensive work.

Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita made a simple save to deny Marcos Llorente, who could not get much power on a shot from the edge of the box.

The visitors took the lead when Robin Le Normand trod on Borja Iglesias’s foot and pointed to the penalty spot.

Veteran striker Aspas, 37, sent Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak the wrong way to put Celta ahead with his seventh league goal of the campaign.

Simeone turned to his bench for extra spark, bringing on Sorloth, Angel Correa and Conor Gallagher.

Atletico have relied on Sorloth largely as a super-sub this season and the Norwegian striker pulled off his favourite trick once more.

Sorloth overpowered defender Carl Starfelt and walloped home inside the near post to pull Atletico level.

Celta threatened in stoppage time but Atletico held on to claim a valuable point, even if they had hoped for three after Real Madrid’s draw.

“I’m very happy to get playing again (after injury)… we got a point at a very difficult place to go,” said Aspas, who last played in December.

“It’s true we had (many) minutes with an extra man, but we know how strong Atletico are. We’re a bit frustrated because we were close to winning.”

On Monday Barcelona, third, host Rayo Vallecano and can move level on points with Los Blancos if they win.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone was able to celebrate his 700th match in charge of the club with a 2-1 La Liga comeback win over Alaves on Saturday. Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth’s goals helped Atletico come from behind to triumph after Jon Guridi sent Alaves ahead with an early penalty. The win took Atletico provisionally second, two points ahead of champions Real Madrid, who visit Leganes on Sunday, and four behind leaders Barcelona who play at Celta Vigo later Saturday.

Atletico’s Argentine coach Simeone appointed in December 2011, reached a milestone 700th game across all competitions in charge of the club which he has led to La Liga titles in 2014 and 2021.

“Number 700 is a huge number, congratulations to him, the win is for him, the team, all the fans,” said Giuliano Simeone, his son, who helped Atletico step up a gear in the second half.

Alaves took an early lead when Javi Galan committed a foolish handball to block Carlos Vicente’s cross. Guridi sent Jan Oblak the wrong way from the spot to fire the visitors ahead.

Atletico failed to create many chances of note in the first half but improved after the break when he brought his son Giuliano Simeone on and the hosts began turning the screw.

The Rojiblancos pulled level after Abdel Abqar handled Sorloth’s header and Griezmann drilled home the resulting penalty.

Norwegian target man Sorloth sent them ahead in the 86th minute with a powerful finish at the near post after Rodrigo de Paul slipped him in.

Earlier Valencia scored an entertaining 4-2 La Liga win over Real Betis in their first match after devastating floods hit the region.

The win took the east-coast club provisionally 18th after their previous two games had been postponed following the disaster at the end of October which killed 227 people.

Los Che coach Ruben Baraja said he hoped to turn the emotional nature of the match into positive energy for the team to try to bring the fans joy. 

Emotions ran high before the game as a minute of silence was held as players stood before a huge Valencia region flag and tribute banner in the stands.

Defender Cesar Tarrega, who was in tears ahead of the match during the memorial to the flood victims, sent the hosts ahead after a scramble in the box following a short corner routine.

Hugo Duro’s own goal soon pulled Betis level but the forward made amends in the second half with two fine finishes to put Valencia two goals ahead.

Diego Lopez smashed in a superb fourth for Los Che and although Chimy Avila pulled one back for the visitors, Valencia were able to hold on to a morale-boosting victory.

“The emotions, the atmosphere, the respect the Mestalla showed, it gave you goosebumps seeing how we paid homage to the victims,” said Valencia coach Baraja.

“The victory is dedicated to all of the victims and all of those affected. We are with them.”