Madrid (AFP)

Despite Lionel Messi's new record, who equaled Pelé with 643 goals scored in a single club, FC Barcelona were hung by Valencia 2-2 on Saturday for the 14th day of La Liga, and remain in 5th place (21 pts) , eight points behind the leader, Atlético Madrid.

Messi, a legend at the head of a declining institution: with this new record, the Argentinian has added an additional line to his legend at Barça, who continues to stand still in the Spanish league, without seducing, with a 7th game without a win in 13 La Liga games (3 draws, 4 losses) since the start of the season.

In this duel of clubs in crisis, nobody took the upper hand: despite the goal from Messi's header (45th + 4), following his penalty stopped by Jaume Domenech, and the superb volley from Ronald Araujo in the surface (52nd), Barça, dull and disappointing, failed to gain the upper hand over Valencia, who hung with two goals: a first from Mouctar Diakhaby with a header from a corner (29th), and another by Maxi Gomez, on the resumption of a cross from Gaya in the area (69th).

La Pulga ("chip", in Spanish) was one of the few who tried to carry danger in front of Domenech's goal, but Barça did not follow the tempo of their Argentine captain.

After showing encouraging progress against Levante (1-0) last weekend, and against Real Sociedad (2-1) on Wednesday, the Catalans returned to their faults on Saturday: an attacking game that lacks efficiency , and a defense very quickly overwhelmed by the opposing offensives ...

With in particular a surprising central doublet Oscar Mingueza - Ronald Araujo, who relegated the French Samuel Umtiti and Clément Lenglet on the bench like Wednesday against Real Sociedad, but who were far from reassuring on Saturday.

This draw does not do the business of the Valencian team, entangled in financial problems and stuck in 12th place in Liga, four points from the red zone.

- Atlético, solid leader -

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, Luis Suarez found his way back to goal after a month and a half of starvation with a brace that allowed Atlético Madrid to dominate promoted Elche 3-1 and stay ahead of La Liga.

The Uruguayan striker first touched with the right a low-ground cross from Kieran Trippier to extend him into the net (41st), then took another cross from Yannick Carrasco at the far post (59th) to offer the victory to the Madrilenians.

The Uruguayan had not scored since November 7 against Cadiz in La Liga (4-0 victory) and had not been decisive in three matches since his return.

He reached the 150-goal mark in La Liga, in just 200 games played, and joined Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) and Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo) at the top of the scorers table with seven goals.

The "gunslinger", who will be 34 in January, had been absent for three weeks between mid-November and December 5 for a positive coronavirus test with his Uruguayan selection during the last international window.

During his period of famine, Diego Simeone had relegated him to the bench, causing his frustration.

He had notably shown signs of anger when he was replaced in the 64th minute during the C1 victory in Salzburg (2-0), synonymous with qualifying for the eighth.

Lucas Boyé closed the gap for Elche with a header from a corner (64th), but Diego Costa, back from his acute venous thrombosis in his left leg, confirmed Atlético's success on a penalty (78th).

The Madrilenians consolidate their first place (29 pts), with three points ahead of Real Sociedad, which moves to Levante at 6.30 p.m., and Real Madrid, which goes to Eibar on Sunday (9 p.m.).

© 2020 AFP