Neymar strikes late for Barca to deny Atletico

Barcelona 1 Atletico Munich 1

Atletico had seemed set for a famous win when Diego — on for injured Diego Costa — put his side ahead from fully 30 yards early in the second-half, but Andres Iniesta took control of proceedings in midfield and his precise ball set up Neymar to calmly finish and leave the tie neatly balanced ahead of next Wednesday’s return leg at Atletico’s Estadio Vicente Calderon.

Atletico began the game on the attack, with ex-Barca attacker David Villa sending an early shot just wide. But a stop-start first-half was most notable for two injuries — with Barca centre-back Gerard Pique forced from the pitch with a back injury after being flattened by Costa in an aerial challenge, and the Brazil-born Spain international himself soon needing to be replaced after picking up a hamstring problem.

Even without their top-scorer Atletico were surprisingly comfortable, with Barcelona mostly limited to headed chances in the first 45 minutes — and Neymar, Lionel Messi and Pique’s replacement Marc Bartra all unable to really trouble visiting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

At the other end Villa had another decent chance to open the scoring just before the break, but Pinto this time impressed with a flying save and it was scoreless at the break.

Barca pressed again from the start of the second-half, but without creating too much danger. And the Camp Nou was soon shocked into silence as Brazilian playmaker Diego took aim from way out, and from an angle, and arrowed the ball right into the top corner of Pinto’s net.

The stunned Catalans had to regroup, and coach Gerardo Martino’s decision to remove a subdued Cesc Fabregas for Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez worked well. The subsequent tactical reshuffle saw Iniesta back into midfield, and Neymar across to his favoured left wing. And from there the Spain international threaded a perfect ball behind the defence for the €86m summer signing to thrash a finish past Thibaut Courtois and bring roars of relief and joy around the stadium.

There was still 20 minutes to play, but Diego Simeone’s supremely organised Atletico side held fast, even as they picked up six yellow cards for persistent tactical fouls which halted Barca’s rhythm. Messi was quiet — sending a header over on the stretch with his best chance — and Courtois brilliantly saved from Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

The final whistle confirmed a fourth draw from four meetings between the teams this season, with Atletico having the valuable away goal in the bag.

BARCELONA: Pinto 6; Alves 6, Mascherano 6, Pique 6, Jordi Alba 7; Busquets 6, Xavi 6, Fabregas 5, Iniesta 9; Messi 7, Neymar 8.

Subs: Bartra 7, Alexis 6,

ATLETICO MADRID: Courtois 8; Juanfran 7, Godin 8, Miranda 8, Filipe Luis 7; Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Arda Turan; Villa, Diego Costa 6.